Mike Richards guides Kings to victory in game 1 May 15, 2013

As was the case last year, the Los Angeles Kings are shaping into form at precisely the right time.  Led by Mike Richards’ 2-point performance, the defending Stanley Cup champions defeated the San Jose Sharks 2-0, taking game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Facing the Sharks in the playoffs for just the second time in their collective histories, game 1 of the battle of California came down to goaltending and some timely goals. Slava Voynov scored the opening goal on a feed from Richards with just 13 seconds left in the 1^st period.

In the 2^nd, Richards redirected a Voynov shot past Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi, just moments after Kings’ goalie Jonathan Quick had made clutch saves to keep the score 1-0.

Richards finished the game with a goal and an assist, a +2 rating, and 4 hits. He was named the 3^rd star of the contest for his efforts.

For more on the Richards and the Kings’ victory, keep reading the ESPN article here.