By Ivan Makarov

Before the game on Wednesday night, San Jose Sharks and LA Kings were tied for points in the Pacific Division, both at 35. Neither team showed much of an edge over their opponent in this even match up, but the Sharks went on to win it in what was one of the most entertaining shootouts in their history.

It took eight rounds of  attempts to determine the winner. Prior to the game, only Logan Couture scored for the Sharks in the shootout all season. This time Joe Pavelski, Tomas Hertl, Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton all successfully finished their attempts, but it took a while to determine the winner, as Kings had three of their players score in a shootout too. In the end, it was Thornton’s backhand goal and Niemi’s subsequent pad save that secured the Sharks the extra point and put them in the lead in the Pacific Division.

“I was begging coach to look my way [laughs],” said Thornton after the game. “It was nice to be involved in one. Down in their building it’s a one-goal game, tonight another one-goal game. Both teams compete hard against each other and you knew it was going to come down to overtime or the shootout and it did. We were just happy with the two points.”

And just like in the shootout, both teams traded goals and leads back and forth throughout the regulation.

Sharks started their game at a goal disadvantage early on, as Kings scored just 18 seconds into it. LA had the possession inside the San Jose zone, and Dwight King passed the puck off the boards behind Antti Niemi. The puck bounced right back into the crease, with Sharks’ defenseman Scott Hannan unable to clear it. Kings’ Jeff Carter was right there, and shot the puck into the net for his sixth goal of the season.

Sharks dominated the remainder of the first period, winning the shot battle 18-8, but still trailing, with Kings’ goaltender Ben Scrivens taking the most credit for that outcome.

Sharks finally solved him in the second period. Joe Pavelski tied the game early with the ninth goal of the season, winning the battle for the lose puck near the crease and lifting it to the top of the goal.

Joe Thornton helped the Sharks take their first lead of the game with his third goal of the season towards the end of the second period. It was an odd one – he was behind the net with the puck, and sent it towards the crease area, but it bounced into the Kings’ goaltender Ben Scrivens pads and back into the net.

Kings tied the game back in the first half of the third period to make it an even 2-2. The puck went in after Drew Doughty shot the puck towards the net, and it changed direction as it hit Sharks’ Scott Hannan’s skate. Both teams skated well in overtime, but it all came down to the skills competition to determine the winner.

Sharks will be back in action on Friday, as they host St Louis Blues for an early 1pm puck drop.

Happy Thanksgiving!