By Sara Biela – Content Editor
On his only shot-on-goal of the game, Kevin Labanc scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the San Jose Sharks spoiled the Los Angeles Kings’ home opener 3-2.
The right winger took advantage of an exhausted Kings (0-0-1) defense, tipped in the puck by Jonathan Quick and secured the first two points of the season for the Sharks (1-1-0).
“It feels unbelievable,” Labanc told NBC Sports California in a postgame interview. “It was a great pass by (Logan) Couture and a great way to get the first win of the season.”
San Jose started its first road game off strong. At 9:42 in the first period, Timo Meier found the back of the net for his first goal of the season and put the Sharks up 1-0.
Joe Thornton registered his 1,031 career assist and moved up to 12th all time.
Shortly after, rookie Antti Suomela forced a turnover after Kings’ Nate Thompson couldn’t clear the puck.
The center dumped it off to Evander Kane, who wristed the puck short side by Quick for his second goal at 13:48. Suomela was awarded the assist for his first NHL point.
“He has done a good job,” head coach Peter DeBoer told NBC Sports California in a postgame interview. “You want a centerman that can think offensively.”
LA’s captain Anze Kopitar was credited with the team’s first goal of the 2018-19 season at 17:15 in the first. Martin Jones could not follow the redirect off of Alex Iafallo’s skate, which allowed Kopitar to slip one by him.
The Sharks held a 2-1 lead going into the second period, but it didn’t last very long.
At 0:37, Tyler Toffoli managed to shoot the puck over Jones’ shoulder to tie the game up at two apiece.
The game headed into overtime after both sides were unable to score in the third, despite how aggressive they played.
Labanc took the puck straight to the bank and gave the Sharks their first win at 2:54.
As a team, the Sharks registered 33 SOG for the second straight game. Jones allowed two goals and tallied 19 saves on the night.
“We needed the win and we deserved it,” DeBoer said. “We really pressed in the third period and we were the better team tonight.”
The Sharks head to the east coast to face a John Tavares-less New York Islanders on Monday.
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