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SAN JOSE, Calif. -- It should come as no shock that the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks are preparing for a Game 7 of their first-round series considering how tightly contested this fierce California rivalry has been over the last few years. The surprise is how the teams got to Wednesday nights win-or-go-home game. The Sharks were dominant early, winning the first three games and making former playoff MVP Jonathan Quick look rather pedestrian as he allowed 16 goals in those losses. But the Kings responded to win three straight games by three goals to force the showdown in San Jose for a spot in the second round against Anaheim. "We understand whats at stake," Sharks forward Joe Pavelski said. "There was the possibility the series was going to go to seven. We probably didnt think it was going to get there this way, but were here now and guys will be ready to play. The Kings are the ninth team to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games. Three of the previous eight finished the job although the Sharks can take solace in the fact that they avoided that same collapse in 2011 when they rebounded from three straight losses to beat Detroit 3-2 at home to advance to the Western Conference finals. San Jose jumped on top early that game with two first-period goals before holding on for the win. "We were a confident bunch," Sharks captain Joe Thornton recalled. "We felt like our game was missing in a couple games, but then we slowly got it back. This year is kind of the same way." Getting an early lead Wednesday would most definitely ease any nerves as the Sharks havent had a lead at any point in those three losses. That has allowed the normally stingy Kings to tighten things up even more defensively, and eliminate all those odd-man rushes that fueled San Joses 13-goal outburst in winning the first two games. "I think our attitude has changed within the last three games," Kings forward Justin Williams said. "Our backs are against the wall. Its win or go home, so we have a lot of character, weve stepped up so far, and we need to keep doing it." Williams scored two goals apiece in games 4 and 6. He also scored both Los Angeles goals in a 2-1 win in Game 7 of a second-round series against the Sharks last year, giving him five goals and four assists in four career Game 7s that were all won by his team. Another performance like that could help the Kings join Philadelphia (2010), the New York Islanders (1975) and Toronto (1942) as the only teams to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series. "I think history is something we look at, look back when were done playing and say, We did that, but thats not really something were thinking about," Williams said. "Weve spotted them three games, and weve been able to come back to tie it, but it doesnt mean anything to us if we dont win it." This series has played out in stark contrast to last years roller-coaster seven-game series won by Los Angeles when goals were at a premium and the home team won every game. The Sharks outscored the Kings 13-5 to win the first two games at home and took a stranglehold on the series when Patrick Marleaus overtime goal gave them a 4-3 win in Los Angeles in Game 3. But the Kings responded with a 6-3 win in Game 4 and a 3-0 victory in San Jose in Game 5 before scoring three goals in a span of 2:46 midway through the third period to win 4-1 on Monday night. Los Angeles has held San Joses stars like Thornton, Pavelski, Marleau and Logan Couture in check the last three games. "We have to get a winning performance out of a lot of players who maybe have not had that over the last little bit but were counting on it tomorrow," coach Todd McLellan said. McLellan would not say which goalie he will be counting on. Rookie Alex Stalock replaced Antti Niemi in goal to start Game 6 and stopped 26 of 30 shots but kept San Jose in the game early. NOTES: McLellan did not have an update on the status of star D Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who missed Game 6 with an upper-body injury. ... The Kings could be without D Willie Mitchell, who left in the second period Monday with an undisclosed injury. Julian Edelman Patriots Jersey . -- Officials have approved a deal to build a new $672 million stadium for the Atlanta Braves away from the downtown Atlanta area that has traditionally been its home. Stephon Gilmore Womens Jersey .com) - American Madison Keys grabbed a first- round victory on Sunday in a rainy start to the Apia International Sydney tournament. http://www.patriotsjerseysauthentic.com/Kevin-Faulk-Super-Bowl-Jersey/ . J.J. Hardy drove in a run for the Orioles, who bounced back from an 8-4 loss in the series opener on Friday. Fresh off the 15-day disabled list, Derrek Lee went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jake Arrieta (7-3) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings to pick up the win. Steve Grogan Youth Jersey . No surprise there. Kershaw, who also earned the title after throwing his first career no-hitter in June, had a 1. Drew Bledsoe Womens Jersey . -- Syracuse was dangerously close to letting another less talented opponent pull off the upset when C.HALIFAX - Mitch Gagnon may want to check his opponents ID when he steps into the cage Saturday night on a televised UFC card. The 29-year-old bantamweight from Sudbury, Ont., is on his third opponent, with Roman (El Gallito) Salazar stepping in this week for Rob Font, who had replaced Aljamain Sterling. Its part of the fight game, Gagnon said philosophically of the injury-related revolving door. Salazar (9-2) is a 26-year-old Tucson cable technician making his UFC debut. Gagnon (11-2) only found about his new opponent Monday but doesnt seem fazed. He says hes not big on game-plans. Im just going to do me, he said. Im positive Ill be come coming out victorious on Saturday. Gagnon, a prickly pocket rocket, has flown under the radar despite winning nine of his last 10 fights. He has won three straight since losing his UFC debut to Bryan Caraway via third-round submission at UFC 149 — a defeat that nevertheless earned him a US$65,000 bonus for fight of the night. The five-foot-five 135-pounder subsequently scored first-round submissions of Walel Watson and Dustin Kimura before winning a decision over Tim Gorman. Gagnons guillotine choke win over Kimura at UFC 165 in Toronto earned him a $50,000 bonus for submission of the night. That fight showed Gagnons heart. He was hurt by a Kimura body shot but promptly took his opponent down.dddddddddddd After escaping a heel hook, he hurt Kimura from top position. The fight ended when Kimura passed out from a guillotine choke after Gagnon stuffed a takedown attempt. He gave up six inches in height to Watson but floored him with a left and then locked in a rear-naked choke for a 69-second win at UFC 152. Ten of Gagnons 11 wins have come by submission, with six via guillotine choke. His cauliflower ears attest to an extensive grappling background. You dont get that ear playing tennis, UFC commentator Joe Rogan said dryly prior to the Kimura fight. It was an impressive comeback for Gagnon, who sat out a year after the Watson fight due to knee surgery. While focused on Salazar, Gagnon would like another shot at Caraway down the line. No excuses, he was the better man that day, Gagnon said. I just feel like Ive gotten better and he stayed the same. Gagnon, a former wrestler who took up MMA training some seven years ago, spent two months training for this fight in the Toronto area, with the occasional visit of his fiancee from Sudbury. He walks around at about 155 pounds, hitting 165 if I let myself go a little bit. As of Wednesday he was 147 pounds, still eating big meals and drinking water. Im doing everything right as far as the weight cut goes, he said. Im doing it as healthy as I can. ' ' '