Joe Thornton’s power-play goal in the third period broke a 2-2 and helped lift the Sharks past the Kings, 5-2, as San Jose finally clinched a playoff spot on Monday night.
The Sharks snapped a three-game losing streak at SAP Center and qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for an 11th time in 12 seasons on their fourth try in the past week.
The Kings, meanwhile, saw their lead in the Pacific Division trimmed to a single point as second-place Anaheim won in Edmonton.
Thornton scored his 18th goal of the season at 4:28 on a weakside putback of rebound left by Los Angeles goalie Jonathan Quick.