Kings Avoid Elimination With 3-1 Win Over Sharks

SAN JOSE (AP) — Jonathan Quick made 51 saves to help Los Angeles hold on to a big lead that Kyle Clifford and Wayne Simmonds helped provide and the Kings beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 in Game 5 on Saturday night to remain alive in their first-round series.

Dustin Penner added his first goal in more than a month in a big first period for the Kings, who cut San Jose's lead in the series to 3-2 by bouncing back after a pair of home losses put them on the brink of elimination.

The Sharks outshot the Kings 52-22 but failed to end the third all-California playoff series in NHL history at home. San Jose will try to wrap up the series in Game 6 on Monday night in Los Angeles.

The series would come back to San Jose for Game 7 on Wednesday night, if necessary.

The Kings knocked out Antti Niemi with three goals on their first four shots in the first 8:42 of the game and didn't fall apart after that as they did in Game 3 at home.

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