NHL

Burns has two goals and four points in eight playoff games. He also ranks second on the team with 26 hits and is tied for third with 25 shots on goal.

Thornton had an assist in San Jose's 2-1 victory. "That was vintage Joe Thornton right there," Logan Couture said. "Unbelievable. Creating turnovers, making passes, skating like a young guy. He was flying, and I know me personally, it got me going. We need Joe to play like that for the rest of the playoffs."

Couture originally did not receive credit for the game-winning goal, but the replay showed that the Dan Boyle point shot clearly ricocheted off of Couture and past Jonathan Quick. Couture led the Sharks with five shots on goal, and has been active all series, having tallied points in each of the past three games. Brent Burns opened the scoring in the first period with his second of the playoffs, while Joe Thornton received the first star of the game after notching an assist and playing well on the defensive side of the puck in the win.

Niemi wasn't busy for most of the night, as the Sharks did a good job of stalling the Kings attack. He was helped in the second period after a premature whistle was blown before a Kings goal. He rallied from there, and aside from allowing a power play goal in the third, he settled in quite nicely when L.A. turned it up towards the finish. After starting the series slowly, Niemi has responded with back-to-back .950 SV% performances. He'll have to steal one for the Sharks on the road, however, if they are going to advance to the Western Conference finals.

"It has to be 2-2 when we leave here, has to be," he said. Boyle scored a power-play goal in Game 3's 2-1 overtime win and he has five points in seven playoff games.

Couture was injured during the second period of Game 3 but eventually returned to the game in time to score the gamer winner in overtime. He participated in today's morning skate and coach Todd McLellan confirmed Couture will play in Tuesday's crucial Game 4. The Sharks trail the Kings 2-1 in the series.

Demers has been sidelined since he suffered a sprained left ankle on April 18. He said Monday he's available to return to the lineup, which puts the decision squarely on McLellan's shoulders. Demers did skate at forward at times Monday and could help McLellan balance out both sides of the Sharks' banged-up equation.