Kings fall to Sharks after allowing 5 goals in 3rd period – Whittier Daily News

By GIDEON RUBIN The Associated Press

SAN JOSE — Momentum continues to elude the Kings.

Rookie Macklin Celebrini scored two goals and had one assist for his first career three-point game, Will Smith had two assists, and the slumping San Jose Sharks shocked the Kings, 7-2, on Monday night.

Celebrini’s goals highlighted a three-goal outburst early in the third period.

The No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NHL draft scored at 1:03 of the third to snap a 2-2 deadlock. Timothy Liljegren scored just over a minute later and Celebrini scored on a five-on-three power play to break the game open.

Anze Kopitar and Brandt Clarke scored for the Kings, who were coming off a 2-1 victory over Seattle but have yet to put together a three-game winning streak this season. Kopitar has at least one point in 10 of his last 12 games with 16 points over that stretch (three goals, 13 assists).

Yaroslav Askarov had 22 saves in his first career home start for San Jose, which limped into Monday’s game having lost six of its past seven games. Kings goalie David Rittich stopped 14 shots.

Nico Sturm scored on a breakaway at 1:47 of the first period off an outlet pass from Mario Ferraro. Askarov was also credited with an assist.

The Kings led 2-1 before Fabian Zetterlund scored on a wraparound goal with just over six minutes left in the second period to tie the game at 2-2. It was the first of six unanswered San Jose goals.