San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings 4-3 shootout recap: Kurashev and Askarov shine in thriller

The Sharks struck first on their initial shot of the contest, but the Kings battled back repeatedly throughout the evening, forcing extra time with a late equalizer that left the San Jose crowd stunned. In the end, it was San Jose’s young goaltender and Swiss forward who proved the difference-makers in a game that showcased both teams’ resilience and skill.

Game flow and key moments in San Jose sharks vs Los Angeles kings 4-3 shootout recap

The opening period set an energetic tone that would carry through all 65 minutes of play. Adam Gaudette gave San Jose an early lead just 2:33 into the first period, racing in from the blue line to bury a wrist shot past Anton Forsberg after receiving a perfect feed from Ty Dellandrea. The goal came on San Jose’s very first shot of the night, capitalizing on a 3-on-2 rush that caught the Kings’ defense flat-footed.

Los Angeles responded with a shorthanded marker from Joel Armia at 16:04 of the first. Armia intercepted the puck from rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini at the blue line and broke in alone on Askarov, beating him blocker side with a composed finish. The Finnish winger’s opportunistic play demonstrated the Kings’ ability to create offense even while down a man.

San Jose regained the lead with just 9.9 seconds remaining in the opening frame. Collin Graf’s slick work behind the net created confusion in the Kings’ zone, and his centering pass deflected off Dellandrea’s left skate and through Forsberg’s legs. The late-period strike gave the Sharks crucial momentum heading into the first intermission.

The second period featured more back-and-forth action. Anze Kopitar, the Kings’ veteran captain, tied the game at 2-2 just 1:47 into the middle frame. Trevor Moore’s pinpoint pass found Kopitar behind the San Jose defense, and the Slovenian star made no mistake, sliding a backhand five-hole through Askarov. The goal was Kopitar’s 320th career multipoint game, moving him within one of Luc Robitaille for second-most in franchise history.

The Sharks thought they had weathered the storm when Philipp Kurashev beat Forsberg five-hole at 17:04 of the second period. Will Smith found Kurashev alone at the left hash marks, and the Swiss forward patiently waited for the Kings goaltender to commit before sliding home his sixth goal of the season. However, the real drama was yet to come.

Third period tension and overtime drama

Los Angeles appeared to take the lead midway through the second period when Joel Armia scored what would have been his second goal of the night. However, San Jose coach Ryan Warsofsky challenged the play for offside, and video review overturned the call after confirming a Kings player had entered the zone ahead of the puck. The decision proved pivotal in the final outcome.

The Kings refused to go quietly. With their goaltender pulled for an extra attacker in the final minute, Adrian Kempe tied the game 3-3 with just 59 seconds remaining in regulation. Kevin Fiala’s point shot was blocked by Mario Ferraro, but the puck squirted directly to Kempe at the side of the net for an easy tap-in. The Swedish forward acknowledged the fortunate bounce after the game but insisted it was deserved.

“I just worked up and down there. I was waiting for that shot to come,” Kempe explained. “A little lucky bounce, but I think it was a deserved one for the team tonight.”

The five-minute overtime period featured several quality chances for both sides but no breakthrough. The Sharks had the better of the play, generating multiple scoring opportunities against a tired Kings team that had played five of their last seven on the road. Neither goaltender blinked, setting the stage for the shootout.

Shootout heroics decide San Jose sharks vs Los Angeles kings 4-3 shootout recap

In the breakaway contest, Kurashev showcased his skill as San Jose’s first shooter. The 25-year-old forward skated in slowly, drifted to his left to open up Forsberg’s stance, then quickly shifted direction and flipped a perfectly placed backhand over the goaltender’s left shoulder. The move demonstrated the confidence and creativity that has made him a valuable asset in clutch situations.

Askarov took care of the rest. The 22-year-old Russian netminder, acquired from Nashville in the offseason, stopped all three Kings shooters with a combination of positioning and quick reflexes. His two saves in overtime had already given his teammates a boost, but his shootout performance sealed the victory and showcased why the Sharks organization is so high on his potential.

“Big win. It would have been nice to get the two points without giving them one, but we kept battling,” said Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraroafter the game. “We had a pretty good overtime there, and [Askarov] really did well. He had a really solid game tonight.”

The final numbers reflected how evenly matched the contest truly was. Los Angeles outshot San Jose 34-25 overall, including a 15-9 advantage in the third period when they pushed hardest for the equalizer. The Kings also won 58 percent of faceoffs and successfully killed all four Sharks power plays. However, San Jose’s efficiency proved decisive, converting enough of their chances and getting stellar goaltending when it mattered most.

What this means for both teams moving forward

For the Sharks, the victory was their second straight and extended their impressive home point streak to seven games (6-0-1). San Jose now sits at 10-8-3 on the season, firmly in the playoff conversation in the competitive Pacific Division. The performance was particularly significant given their recent struggles with consistency.

Coach Warsofsky emphasized the importance of reclaiming home-ice dominance at SAP Center: “It’s important. I wasn’t here when the ‘Shark Tank’ was alive and well, but I’ve heard a lot about it and we want to make it like that very, very soon.” The victory over a division rival certainly helped those efforts, as the atmosphere grew increasingly electric throughout the evening.

The win also showcased San Jose’s improved defensive structure and goaltending stability. Askarov’s 31-save performance, including his crucial stops in overtime and the shootout, demonstrated why the Sharks invested heavily to acquire him. When combined with the offensive contributions from players like Kurashev and Dellandrea, the franchise appears to be building a sustainable winner.

For the Kings, the result was disappointing but not devastating. Los Angeles finished their six-game road trip with a respectable 4-2-0 record, maintaining their position in the Pacific Division standings at 10-6-5. The point earned for reaching overtime kept them within striking distance of the division lead, though the blown lead will undoubtedly leave a sour taste.

Coach Jim Hiller acknowledged both the positives and negatives in his postgame comments: “I liked our energy, especially to start the game. We were commenting on the bench, it felt fast. Much different game than the last time we were in here [a 4-3 win on October 28]. It is a game of mistakes in the end, and we made just a couple too many.”

The Kings will look to rebound quickly when they face the Boston Bruins on Friday night, while the Sharks continue their four-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Both teams understand the importance of banking points early in the season, especially against conference opponents.

This encounter marked the second meeting between these California rivals in less than a month. The last time at SAP Center on October 28, the Kings found themselves on the winning end of a 4-3 decision. Thursday night’s reversal highlighted how razor-thin the margins are in the Pacific Division this season. Each point matters immensely, and San Jose’s ability to secure the extra point could prove crucial come playoff time.

The Sharks’ resilience in coughing up a late lead but recovering in the shootout demonstrates the mental toughness this young squad is developing. With Askarov providing stability between the pipes and emerging leaders like Kurashev stepping up in clutch moments, San Jose appears poised to challenge for their first playoff berth since 2019. Meanwhile, the Kings’ ability to generate offense and push the pace on the road suggests they’ll remain in the thick of the Pacific race all season long.