Sharks Repelled by Macs’ Attack

Not too long ago, the Kings were a team that struggled against opponents like the San Jose Sharks, who began Thursday night’s game with only two wins in their previous eight games.

Not any more. Rookie Donald MacLean scored 31 seconds after the opening faceoff and Yanic Perreault scored two more goals to lead the Kings to a 6-3 victory over the Sharks before an announced crowd of 9,629 at the Forum. It marks the first time they have been two games above .500 this season.

Goaltender Stephane Fiset, 6-1-1 in his last eight starts, made 19 saves, defenseman Garry Galley scored his 100th career goal, and Steve McKenna scored his first as the Kings improved to 9-7-4 overall and moved into sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division behind Colorado, two points ahead of the Mighty Ducks with 20.

Perreault, who scored three goals in the Kings’ 8-2 victory over Vancouver on Tuesday, has five goals in the last two games, nine in his last seven and 13 points in that span.

“No one before the season expected us to be a good team offensively,” Perreault said. “I’m even surprised because I didn’t think I would be scoring so many goals so quick. I just have to keep shooting the puck and hopefully it’ll keep going in for me.”

The Kings, who now have a league-high 71 goals, started fast for the second game in a row. On Tuesday, Perreault scored 38 seconds into the first period, but MacLean beat that by seven seconds when he knocked a rebound past former King goaltender Kelly Hrudey.

“You have to take advantage of your opportunities to play, with the way we’re playing as a team,” said MacLean, who scored his fifth of the season after sitting out Tuesday’s game. “Everyone is working hard and is going to the net shooting the puck. Every time Yanic Perreault touches the puck it goes in the net. [We’re] just on one of those hot streaks.”

The Kings extended their lead to 2-0 midway into the period when Russ Courtnall, making his King debut, waited patiently and found Perreault, who scored from the bottom of the left circle at 9:40.

With 3:01 remaining in the first period, the Kings took a three-goal lead when Galley made a centering pass that caromed off a Shark defender past Hrudey into the net. Luc Robitaille and Jozef Stumpel were given assists on the Kings’ third power-play goal in two games.

San Jose, which dropped to 3-6 on the road, got back in the game late in the period when Bill Houlder scored a power-play goal with 28 seconds remaining to cut the Kings’ lead to 3-1.

The Sharks controlled play for most of the second period but managed only four shots on goal. The Kings took advantage of the Sharks’ weak attack, Robitaille scoring his 10th goal at 8:40 after Sandy Moger’s shot was blocked.

San Jose made the game interesting with goals 28 seconds apart early in the third period. Jarrod Skalde assisted on Todd Gill’s sixth goal and then scored himself 2:15 into the period to bring the Sharks within, 4-3.

The Kings got some breathing room later in the period when McKenna took a pass from Philippe Boucher and scored from the right circle at 11:41. It was his first career goal in 18 games and his second point of the season.

Perreault finished the scoring with nearly five minutes remaining when he glided in front of the crease and beat Hrudey for his 14th goal of the season.

After San Jose’s two third-period goals, King Coach Larry Robinson called a timeout and got on his team for its lackluster play.

“They forgot what had got us a 4-1 lead. We could have easily blown the lead,” Robinson said. “[McKenna’s goal] was big for us but Boucher made a great play too.

“This was a good game for us because it gave everyone a little bit of work.”

The Kings, who are 7-0 when they score first, improved to 6-4 at home and will continue their six-game home stand Saturday night when they host the Dallas Stars.