Brandt Clarke’s late third-period goal propelled the Los Angeles Kings to a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks, capping a dramatic game where the Kings blew a three-goal lead before securing the victory.
The game unfolded on October 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San Jose, with the Kings aiming to extend their recent success. Corey Perry opened the scoring for Los Angeles in the first period, tapping in a rebound after a shot from Clarke deflected off a defender’s stick. This early goal set the tone, but it was in the second period that the Kings seemed to take control, building a comfortable lead.
Jeff Malott extended the advantage to 2-0 early in the second period, capitalizing on a 2-on-1 rush with a sharp shot past goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. Minutes later, Drew Doughty added a third goal with a precise wrist shot, tying him with Rob Blake for the most goals by a defenseman in franchise history at 161. The Kings appeared dominant, but the Sharks began to rally as the period progressed.
San Jose’s comeback started late in the second period, with Will Smith scoring on a one-timer set up by rookie Macklin Celebrini, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Just over a minute later, Philipp Kurashev made it 3-2 by finishing a slick passing play involving Alexander Wennberg and William Eklund. The momentum shifted decisively in the third period when Wennberg tied the game at 3-3 with a wrist shot, completing the Sharks’ resurgence after trailing by three goals.
With the game hanging in the balance, Brandt Clarke delivered the decisive moment, skating freely down the right wing and firing a wrist shot over Askarov’s glove at 13:20 of the third period. Clarke, who also recorded an assist earlier, described hitting his spot under pressure from a defender. The Kings then relied on goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who made 37 saves—including several key stops in the final minutes—to preserve the narrow lead and secure the win.
The victory extended the Kings’ point streak to six games (4-0-2) and improved their road record to 5-1-2, reinforcing their position in the competitive Pacific Division. Coach Jim Hiller acknowledged his team did not deserve the win based on performance but highlighted their resilience in close contests. For the Sharks, the loss dropped them to 2-6-2, though coach Ryan Warsofsky praised the effort as their most complete game of the season, offering a silver lining despite the disappointing result.
Key individual performances included Celebrini extending his point streak to five games with an assist, showcasing his emerging talent, while Clarke’s two-point night underscored his growing role on the Kings’ blue line. The game highlighted the unpredictability of hockey, with both teams demonstrating bursts of offensive firepower and defensive lapses. Looking ahead, the Kings will aim to build on this momentum, while the Sharks seek to translate improved play into more consistent results in upcoming matchups.