Biggest Takeaways from San Jose Sharks vs. LA Kings Game 7

The Los Angeles Kings showed once again that they are less-than-gracious hosts at home. The team continued its dominance at Staples Center with a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 of its Western Conference semifinal series.

Los Angeles remains perfect at home in the 2013 playoffs and now hasn't lost a game on its ice since March 23.

As the Kings wait for their next opponent to emerge from the Detroit vs. Chicago showdown, here's a look at some of the key takeaways from Tuesday's game.

The Kings Are Not a Flash in the Pan

In 2012, Los Angeles entered the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The team went on to ride an amazing wave of momentum to the Stanley Cup.

After a relatively average regular season and a tepid start to the playoffs, the Kings are showing once again that they shine when the spotlight is the brightest.

This year, the battles have been a little bit harder, but the Kings' series wins over the Blues and Sharks have demonstrated resiliency and confidence.

With Tuesday night's victory over San Jose, the Kings become the first Stanley Cup winners since the 2008 Detroit Red Wings to return to the final four in the subsequent season. Good company, indeed.

Justin Williams Is Clutch

Kings winger Justin Williams never met a Game 7 that he didn't like.

Coming into Tuesday's contest, he was 3-0 in three previous Game 7s, with a goal in each. This time, he did one better, flipping a puck over the outstretched pad of Antti Niemi for Los Angeles' first goal early in the second period and then firing a big wrister from the top of the circle for what would be the game-winner just 2:57 later.

Williams was a key contributor in L.A.'s 2012 cup run with 15 points in 20 games. He had just four points in this year's postseason coming into Game 7, but the Kings won't mind his timing if he can continue to deliver when the pressure is on.

Jonathan Quick's Temper and Glove Are Quick

Jonathan Quick put on a goaltending clinic in Game 7, stopping 25 of the Sharks' 26 shots, including 13 in the third period.

His only miss came on a Dan Boyle point shot with Patrick Marleau providing a screen, 5:26 into the third period.

Quick had been whistled for embellishment on Adam Burish's goaltender interference penalty about three minutes earlier. While jostling for position in front of the goaltender, the shaft of Burish's stick got up into Quick's throat. The goalie went down a little harder than was perhaps warranted.

It's important to note that Quick went after the officials after the Kings lost Game 3 of the series in overtime. He was awarded a game misconduct at the end of the game and probably didn't make many friends among the men in stripes with his aggressive displeasure.

Such a reputation may have worked against him in this game.

He took a long time to compose himself after drawing the penalty and may have still been distracted when the Sharks put their only goal past him.

From there, Quick settled down and shut the door the rest of the way, once again showing the stellar form that won him the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2012.

Dan Boyle Is a Game 7 Performer

Dan Boyle must have been confused as he lined up on the losing side of the handshake line at the end of Tuesday's contest.

Prior to this game, the veteran blueliner was 3-0 in previous Game 7s in his career.

Boyle did what he could to put San Jose on the winning side of the agenda. His big shot from the blue line five minutes into the third period brought the Sharks within one goal. Boyle gave his team a chance to apply the pressure it would need to find a tying marker in the dying minutes, by hook or by crook.

But the hockey gods—and Jonathan Quick—said it was not to be. Boyle's goal stood alone on the scoresheet when all was said and done.

The 36-year-old put up eight points in 11 playoff games for the Sharks in 2013 and logged over 21 minutes of ice time in the deciding game, showing that he's still a valuable member of San Jose's core.

Brent Burns Is Still an Adventure

The San Jose Sharks moved Brent Burns up to forward this year in hopes that his outside-the-lines playing style would yield benefits on the scoresheet while minimizing the impact of his defensive gaffes.

Did it work?

Let's just say that Burns was the man sitting in the penalty box when Justin Williams scored his first goal for the Kings.

In a tightly played Game 7, Burns' second-period interference penalty on Robyn Regehr in front of the Los Angeles net was reckless and unnecessary, giving Los Angeles the opening it needed to get on the scoresheet. Once they had the lead, the Kings were not going to give it up easily.

Burns had two goals and four points in 11 playoff games this year. He showed signs of success in his new role, but he was a long way from being a one-man wrecking ball like converted defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was for the Chicago Blackhawks during their 2010 Stanley Cup run.

Lady Luck Has the Last Word

In close-fought games like the one we saw on Tuesday night, the outcome can be determined by a matter of inches.

Just seconds before Justin Williams scored his second goal, Logan Couture had a great chance at the other end of the ice.

Jonathan Quick was down and out after the initial shot from Marleau. Couture fired the puck behind the sprawling netminder, but he missed the far post by a matter of inches.

The carom went to the Kings. Next thing we knew, instead of a 1-1 game, it was 2-0 Kings.

Game. Set. Match.

The Kings await the winner of the Chicago/Detroit Game 7 on Wednesday.

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