Couture leads Sharks over Kings
LOS ANGELES -- Logan Couture had two goals and an assist, and Ryan Carpenter scored his first NHL goal, leading the San Jose Sharks to a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on Wednesday night.
Goalie Martin Jones stopped 26 shots as the Sharks (14-9-1) remained atop of the Pacific Division. Couture added an empty-net goal with 1:17 remaining in the contest.
Kevin Labanc also scored and Joel Ward registered two assists for the Sharks, winners of five of their last six.
The Sharks earned their second win in as many nights, recording a 2-1 overtime decision over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday night at San Jose.
Goaltender Peter Budaj had 20 saves for the Kings (12-10-1), who had their season-high five-game winning streak halted.
San Jose beat Los Angeles for the second time this season. The Sharks also captured a 2-1 win on Oct. 2 at SAP Center.
The Sharks jumped to an early lead by scoring on their initial shot on goal. Labanc, gathering a pass from Couture on a rush, ripped a shot past Budaj at 3:32 of the first period to put San Jose on top 1-0. It was the second goal this season for Labanc.
The Sharks added a pair of goals in the final minute of the period. A tip-in by Couture of a Joonas Donskoi attempt with 55 seconds remaining made it 2-0. For Couture, it was his eighth tally this year.
Thirty seconds later, Carpenter buried a wrist shot from the right circle for a three-goal advantage.
In the second, Kings right winger Dustin Brown scored on a power play to slice the deficit to two. Brown retrieved a loose puck just outside the crease and punched it in past David Schlemko and Jones at 3:01 of the period for his fourth goal.
Brown passed Jim Fox (479) to move into ninth place on the Kings all-time points list at 480. Brown also tied Charlie Simmer (222) for eighth on the club's career goals' list.
NOTES: Sharks RW Joonas Donskoi played his 100th career game. Donski performed in his first contest against the Kings and scored his first goal against them Oct. 7, 2015 at Staples Center. That also was the first game and win for Peter DeBoer as San Jose coach. ... Kings RW Dustin Brown played his 200th consecutive game, which is the longest streak on the club. ... Los Angeles G Peter Budaj played his 21st straight contest, the longest stretch of his career. ... San Jose scratched C Tommy Wingels, D Dylan DeMelo and LW Matt Nieto. ... RW Teddy Purcell, LW Kyle Clifford and D Tom Gilbert were unavailable for Los Angeles. ... The Kings visit the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. ... The Sharks host the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.