The Kings start the game off like they have most games this season: shooting. An interference call by Kyle McLaren has the Kings on the power play. Thornton's back-handed shot was deflected, but it trickles past Toskola for his second of the season. The assists go to Tom Kostopoulos and Mattias Norstrom.

However, Mathieu Garon tripped Mike Grier, and the floodgates opened. The Sharks answered Garon's penalty with a power-play goal by Patrick Marleau. Three minutes later, Steve Bernier scored to make it 2-1. The Sharks started circling, as Garon turned the puck over in front of the goal, and Christian Ehrhoff quickly scored to put the Sharks up, 3-1. 16 seconds later, Jonathan Cheechoo scored his sixth of the season to make it 4-1. The Kings limp into the locker room, a little worse for wear. They had started the game strong, but Garon's penalty turned the tide, and sparked a San Jose feeding frenzy.

First period: Sharks 4, Kings 1

The Kings get a quick power play goal from Alexander Frolov to extend their power-play scoring streak to six games. Sean Avery assisted on the play. Avery has played well in the game so far. But then the Patrick Marleau show began.

Marleau is all alone when a rebound comes right to him. He easily puts one past Garon to make it 5-2, Milan Michalek gets his second assist of the game. Then Marleau scored an unassisted goal to complete the hat trick and to put the game effectively away. By then the Kings just wanted the game to be over. They played tighter though, and had no penalties in the second.

Second Period: Sharks 5, Kings 2

Avery may have scored in his second straight game, but this one was out of reach. Midway through the period, Cheechoo nailed a shot past Garon, who remained in goal all game. A painful game to watch, and even more painful to write about.

Final score: Sharks 7, Kings 3

In other news: Rob Blake was honored by the NHL for his playing in his 1,000th game. Congrats to you, Rob.