LOS ANGELES -- All of the familiar aspects of the rivalry between the Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings bubbled to the surface on Thursday night at Staples Center.
For the Sharks, it was a familiar face who gave them an early edge in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series against their most hated rival.
Joe Pavelski scored twice, including the go-ahead goal just 17 seconds into the third period, as the Sharks held on for a 4-3 win.
On his third-period score, Pavelski fought off a check from Kings center Anze Kopitar, brought the puck from behind the net to out front before he curled it around Kings goalie Jonathan Quick for his 28th career playoff goal.