Game 3: Sharks 6, Kings 5, overtime

To peep out all the videos online about this game, check out today's Hockeywood Dailies.

Four goals in the first 21 minutes by the Kings turned Staples Center into a raucous animal house. By the end of the night, it was quieter than the morgue on CSI.

The Kings had a prime opportunity to take a 2-1 lead over the Sharks in the Western Conference Quarters. Instead, an often lackluster and scattered squad allowed the battle-testedSharks to make a drataic comeback at Staples Center.

The party got start with two quick goals Willie MItchell and Kyle Clifford, followed by a Michal Handzus goal at the end of the first period. Brad Richardson's goal in the second period was the tenth and last shot Sharks goalie Antti Neimi faced.

Staples was rocking, celebrating a sure Kings victory. That's why Patrick Marleau's goal later in the second period was met by dismissive waves by Kings fans. There's no way the Kings could choke away a four goal lead, was there?

Well...

Five goals later, the Kings found themselves faced with the Sharks circling their life raft, waiting for that fatal blow that would demolish the boat. They were able to last 23 minutes. That's when Devin Setoguchi's strike collapsed the Kings' hopes, shifting the home ice advantage back to NoCal.

Disheartening loss? Sure. Worst loss ever? No. There's plenty of hockey to play in this series. Coming into the playoffs, the Kings weren't exactly hitting on all cylinders. And despite losing Anze Kopitar to injury, the Kings have been in each of the three games thus far in the playoffs. Two games went to overtime, that how close these games have been.

So temper your disappointment, Kings fans. Game Three will certainly go down as a complete meltdown by the franchise. But it's how the team responds in Game Four that's important.

• AP: Sharks rally from 4 down to beat Kings 6-5 in OT

The Kings were cruising along with a four-goal lead. Then came an offensive barrage by the San Jose Sharks so swift and stunning that Los Angeles never could answer.

• LA Times: Kings turn four-goal lead into 6-5 overtime loss to Sharks in Game 3

One by one the Kings insisted this was only one loss, only one setback on what they still hope will be a long playoff trail.  But their body language and the somber tone of their voices after their 6-5 overtime playoff loss to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday suggested this defeat will sting for a long time.

• Mercury News: Sharks rally from 4-0 deficit to stun the Kings in overtime

The Kings chased Antti Niemi to the bench 44 seconds into the second period with goals by Willie Mitchell, Kyle Clifford, Michal Handzus and Brad Richardson on their first 10 shots, but backup Antero Niittymaki let only one shot by Ryan Smyth past him of the 12 he faced after that.

• LAKings.com: Kings ousted in overtime

The series turned to Los Angeles after the teams split the two games in San Jose, and each team regained the services of a player. Jarret Stoll returned after a one-game suspension for his hit on San Jose defenseman Ian White, who missed Game 2 because of the hit.

• NHL.com: Sharks rally to stun Kings 6-5 in OT

The Sharks became just the fourth team in playoff history to overcome a deficit of four or more goals –the first since Minnesota rallied to beat Chicago 5-4 on April 28, 1985.

They said it

"They’re a fast offensive team, and if we give them transition plays, they can find lanes in open areas to get some goals. That’s kind of what happened on that overtime goal. They transitioned it from their end, but it was pretty quick. Like I said, they have good forwards.” – Dustin Brown, on how to clean up the defense.

“I just thought it was the first 10 minutes of the second period. We got the goal right away. That’s great, but I thought after that we had a lot of immaturity in our game, not doing the same things that we did in the first two games and the first period of this game. Eventually it comes back to bite us.” – Rob Scuderi, on when the game got away.

“The second period. I think the whole thing. They had a great period, and we made some mistakes. We also gave it to them. We gave them that period. I thought they made some good plays, but we did everything we could to help them out there." – Matt Greene, on where the game got away from the Kings.

“Well, we bounced back in the third period. We weren’t getting shots through but (had) the right attitude, as far as getting back to doing what we needed to do, to play the game the right way. Then you get yourself into the overtime. So we bounced back from the disaster in the second period to play much better. I already addressed it at the group, at the end of both periods, the second and the third. So everybody knows what’s on my mind.” – Terry Murray, on how to overcome this loss.