Game 1; SJ leads series 1-0

LOS ANGELES — For both clubs, it had been a couple years since any playoff action happened. If Thursday night was any indication, though, it seemed as if neither the Los Angeles Kings or the San Jose Sharks missed a beat.

In Game 1, the Kings got things started. 2:57 into the game, Jake Muzzin beat Martin Jones — from Milan Lucic and Tanner Pearson — to put the silver-and-black out in front early.

Less than four minutes later, though, Joe Pavelski scored on the power play to tie the game and 6:50 into the second, San Jose took their first lead of the night as Brent Burns beat Jonathan Quick. The lead, however, lasted just 40 seconds as Jeff Carter tied on the power play followed by a shorthanded marker by Trevor Lewis late in the frame. But, like San Jose’s leading earlier in the period, Los Angeles’s lead was brief as Tomas Hertl tied in just 30 seconds later.

When the third started, the Sharks wasted no time in retaking the lead as Pavelski potted his second of the evening just 17 seconds into the frame. This time, though, the Sharks would not relinquish their lead as despite the Kings’ late attack, could not solve Martin Jones who made 21 total saves to earn his first playoff win in his postseason debut.

The Sharks got the better end in this one but if the back-and-forth action was any indication, then this should be a very exciting series — something that shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Game 2 will be held on Saturday night at STAPLES Center.