Dan Cloutier was injured in the pre-game skate when a Frolov shot hit hi in the shoulder. So rookie Barry Brust gets his NHL debut start in goal. Coming into tonight, San Jose was a plus-17 in the first period alone. So the scene is set for a real blood-letting. A rook in goal, against one of the top teams in the NHL. Also, Vesa Toskola is in goal, since the Sharks alternate their goaltenders every other game. One of the main reasons why I didn't draft either on my fantasy club.

Brust starts strong, and gets some early help from his team. Anze Kopitar, working hard to draw the goalie out of the crease, then knocking a shot over a sprawling Toskola to give the Kings the early lead. Kevin Dallman took a shot from the point, hitting Brown who was providing a screen. Kopitar picked up the loose puck and worked his magic, to pick up his first goal in eight games.

Brian Willsie was whistled for boarding, as the Kings went on their first penalty-kill. Last game, the Kings were called for eight penalties, two of which allowed goals.

Kopitar strikes again, this time poking a puck to Alexander Frolov, who starts on the attack. He is defended by Christian Ehrhoff, so he turns around, effectivelt shielding the puck from view. He leaves it for a trailing Kopitar, who deked past Toskola with his first NHL short-handed goal. The short-hander was the first one allowed by the Sharks this season.

The Kings have outshot the Sharks on the first period once again, making it 4 times on the season. Last game, they outshot them, 12-9, and that's the exact shot count tonight. This being the second of the home and home series

First period: Kings 2, Sharks 0

The Kings came out in the second period with the same intensity, and it seemed that they caught Toskola on a bad night. Brent Sopel, returning from being on the IR, took a shot fro the point, and the puck bounced off Toskola. The puck flipped up and over Toskola, who lost sight of it. It bounced next to a sliding Mike Cammallari, who knocked the puck in on his knees to make it 3-0.

Brust almost allowed in a goal, when he swiped at a Jonathon Cheechoo shot with his pad, and the puck was knocked in by the high stick of Steve Bernier. The HP Pavilion erupted, but the play was whistled no goal by two refs.

It is then that I notice the face mask of Brust. I recognize the Hollywood sign on the left hand side, and the Manchester M, which adorns the chin of the mask. But I don't really know what is on the crest of the top, or on the other side. After taking a closer look online, I identify a Staples Center on the right side of the mask. And on the crest is a large picture of Jabba The Hut. I get the Hollywood sign and the SC. I even get the Manchester M. But Jabba? I'd love to ask him what the deal is with that.

Kopitar had a brilliant play where he almost had his third goal. But Bob Miller jinxed it, when he said "Kopitar... for the hat trick..." There isn't a phrase in the English language that irks me more. 10 times out of 10, anytime someone actually mentions a player only needs one goal for the hat trick, the Hockey Gogs laugh and put up an invisible barrier. It must've been an invisible barrier that kept Anze from scoring an absolute gimme of a goal. It looks as if Toskola used his stick to trip the rookie Anze, but there is no whistle.

L.A. has done a good job limiting San Jose on even strength. The Sharks have the league's best power play unit coming into tonight's game. But the several times they have had the man-advantage, they have failed to score. The two power plays in the second yielded no shots on goal. Brust has continued playing strong, making solid stops against the high-powered Sharks. The murmurings are starting of that unspoken thing that Brust is two-third of the way towards earning. but you didn't hear it from me.

Second period: Kings 3, Sharks 0

For the 11th time this season, the Kings have the lead going into the third period. When they have the lead, they are 8-0-2.

Frolov takes a shot on goal, which gets directed to the corner. Derek Armstrong picks it up and circles straight toward the goal. He looks to stuff it in, but the puck pops up and over Toskola's shoulder to make it 4-0.

During an ill-advised change for the Kings, Cheechoo drove to the net with the puck. It trickled away and found itself to Joe Thornton. Thornton had a great backhand shot which would've beat Brust. But Brent Sopel, recently back from his trip on the injured list, made the save by blocking the shot with his stick.

Christian Ehrhoff finally puts San Jose on the board, scoring a power play goal, to break up the shutout. And as cool as it would be cool to have Brust get a shutout in his first start, I'll take a victory over the Sharks. Mike Grier adds another goal late in the game, but it's too little, too late.

The stars of the game were all Kings, including two rookies: The rookie netminder Barry Brust, who wound up making 34 saves in his debut start; Alex Frolov, who by notching two assists added to his team-leading 29 points; and Anze Kopitar gets the top star for scoring twice.

This is the type of game that the Kings should build off of. Their next two games are at home; against the Stars on Saturday and the Flames on Tuesday.