Sharks 6, Kings 1
Red-hot Joe Pavelski had a goal and two assists as the host San Jose Sharks clinched their fourth straight Pacific Division title with a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.
Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored twice as the Sharks (47-23-9) moved into second in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Detroit. Vlasic has five goals this season, and three in his last three games.
Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton each had a goal and an assist, and Antti Niemi made 31 saves in his 34th straight start for the Sharks, who have won eight of their last nine games.
Niemi is 25-4-4 since the streak started Jan. 15, and San Jose rallied to win the game in which Niemi did not get the decision.
Pavelski has a point in 10 straight games, and has six goals and 20 points during that span. Patrick Marleau had two assists, and has 19 points in his last 10 games.
Michal Handzus scored for the Kings (45-28-6), who failed to clinch a playoff spot and remain tied for fourth with Phoenix in the West.
San Jose chased Los Angeles starter Jonathan Quick at 5:33 of the second period after Boyle's goal made it 4-1 on the Sharks' 16th shot.
Devin Setoguchi scored with 27 seconds left in the second to give the Sharks a 6-1 lead.
Thornton, who has 20 goals in 11 consecutive seasons, has 999 career points and is on the verge of becoming the 77th player in NHL history to reach 1,000.