SAN JOSE – Determined to carry over their momentum from Game 3, the San Jose Sharks came out of the gate swinging for the fences in Game 4. They outshot the Los Angeles Kings 15-3 in the opening period with a Brent Burns slapshot resulting in their only goal. But it was still enough to give them a lead through 20 minutes.

In the second, the Sharks added to their lead as the overtime hero of Game 3, Logan Couture, scored a power play goal with just under four minutes into the second.

While the Kings did have more opportunities in the second, there weren’t able to solve Antti Niemi.

In the third, it was Los Angeles’s turn to come out swinging as they outshot the Sharks 14-2. Mike Richardshelped the cause by scoring on the power play to cut the lead in half.

May 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) gathers the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period of game four of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

While the Kings kept pushing to tie, however, Niemi only stepped up his game as the silver-and-black just could not get the equalizer as they lost their second-straight against a San Jose team who remains undefeated on home ice in the playoffs.

For the Kings, the effort is certainly there but the results are not. Heading back to Staples Center on Thursday night for Game 5, the Kings will hope for a rebound performance as they will most likely look at Game 5 as a must-win.

Jonathan Quick continues to play outstanding as does the Kings’ defensemen but it will be the offense who will need to step up their games a notch or two should Los Angeles hope to turn the momentum back in their favour.

LOS ANGELES – Beginning their first series on home ice since the opening round of the 1992 playoffs, the Los Angeles Kings wanted to make the most of their opportunities – and they did just that with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Sharks to draw first blood in this Western Semi Final series.

Like most predicted this series to be, the first period of Game 1 was very even with each team registered eight shots. But it was the home team who got the first goal as Slava Voynov slapped his third past Antti Niemi to put the Kings out in front with just 13 seconds remaining in the opening frame.

May 14, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save off a shot on goal by San Jose Sharks center Tommy Wingels (57) in the second period of game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

In the second, Voynov was at it again as he generated some more offense as his shot was tipped in by Mike Richards who scored his first to put Los Angeles up by a pair.

In my preview, I mentioned how a lot has changed since the Kings and Sharks last met in the playoffs in 2011. One of the most significant changes was the additions of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter and made their presence known on this night as both were in on both Kings goals.

The Sharks entered the second round on a roll having swept the Vancouver Canucks in the opening round. They were determined to keep their winning ways going. However, Jonathan Quick and the stingy Kings defense had something to say about that.

After stopping eight in the first and 11 in the second, Jonathan Quick was simply remarkable in the third. Despite outshooting the Kings 16-4 in the final frame, the Sharks just could not find a way to solve Quick who earned his second shutout this postseason.

The likes of Marleau, Thornton and Pavelski entered the evening on a mission but exited feeling frustrated that Number 32 had them all figured out.

The Los Angeles Kings made most of their home-ice advantage winning Game 1 and now they hope to extend their lead in the series in Game 2 on Thursday night. Of course, the big question will be whether Tuesday’s loss will determine or deflate the Sharks.

We will see then. But for now, thanks to the efforts from Quick, Voynov, Carter and Richards, the Kings have drawn first blood in the Battle of California.