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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. Bob Cousy Jersey .Stanton suffered fractures in his face and other injuries when he was hit by a pitch Sept. 11. The Marlins are confident hell fully recover and be ready for spring training, and they hope to reach a long-term agreement with him. Marcus Smart Jersey .Steamboat Ski Resort contends Steamboat Springs, Colorado has long been known as Ski Town, U.S.A., and claims in a new lawsuit that Salt Lake tourism officials violated their trademark when they rolled out the Ski City marketing campaign last month. http://www.celticssale.com/kids-bill-russell-celtics-jersey/. -- David Price didnt think he would be in Port Charlotte this spring. Kevin Mchale Jersey . Henrik Samuelsson and Luke Bertolucci also scored for the Oil Kings, who are now 9-0 on home ice in the playoffs to cut Portlands series lead to 2-1. Chase De Leo and Mathew Dumba responded for the Winterhawks, who suffered just their fourth loss in their last 46 games, a string of success running all the way back to Jan. Robert Williams Jersey . Louis second-period goal increased the New York Rangers lead but Dustin Brown has countered for the Los Angeles Kings who now trail the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Catcher Ryan Hanigan and reliever Heath Bell are eager to try to help the Tampa Bay Rays get back to the playoffs. Hanigan was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds and Bell from the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a three-team trade Tuesday. The deal was announced after Hanigan agreed to a $10.75 million, three-year contract that runs through 2016 and includes a club option for 2017. Tampa Bay sent minor league pitcher Justin Choate and a player to be named to the Diamondbacks. Arizona dealt left-hander David Holmberg to Cincinnati. Rays executive vice-president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman called a Hanigan "a tremendously talented defensive catcher" who can also help the Rays offensively. "He takes a lot of pride in what he does behind the plate and we also like what he can do in the batters box, especially against left-handed pitching," Friedman said. "Hes a guy weve had our eye on for a while. and so when we had the opportunity to acquire him, we were aggressive to do so." Hanigan, 33, is expected to become Tampa Bays primary catcher, even though he and Friedman said they wont head into spring training with a preconceived notion. The trade was completed a day after free agent catcher Jose Molina was re-signed to a $4.5 million, two-year contract. "Well figure out matchups, well figure out what makes the most sense on any given night, but we feel like he makes our team better," Friedman said. "Whether thats 70 games, 80 games, 90 games, 100 games, I dont know yet. Well figure that out as the season gets underway." Bell will be a candidate to become the Rays closer -- a job held the past two seasons by Fernando Rodney, who is a free agent. For the Diamondbacks, giving up the hard-throwing right-hander was a cost-saving move. The deal saves the team $5.5 million of Bells $9 million salary -- and Miami is paying the other $3.5 million as part of the three-team trade in October last year. Arizona general manager Kevin Towers gains flexibility in trying bolster depth and plug holes. "Weve still got some bench pieces we need to put together, We still have interest in bringing back Eric Chavez," Towers said, adding that the Diamondbacks also remain in the market for a starting pitcher and perhaps a corner outfielder with power. Hes also excited about the prospects headed for Arizona from Tampa Bay, particularly the player to be named. "Someone we value a lot as a prospect," Towers said. "Thats not to take anything away from Mr. Choate, but I would say that probably is the key player in the deal." Hanigan is a .262 career hitter who spent the past seven seasons with the Reds. He batted .198 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 75 games in 2013, when he spent two stints on the disabled list -- one because of a strained left oblique muscle and the other a sprained left wrist. Friedman is confident the catcher is healthy andd "will return to the really good player hes always been.dddddddddddd" Hanigan is looking forward to getting to know the pitching staff and play for manager Joe Maddon, whos led the Rays to the playoffs four of the past six seasons. "The numbers speak for themselves in terms of the competitiveness of the team year after year. Its a great thing they have going," Hanigan said. "Everybody Ive talked to has great things to say about Joe and the organization, the atmosphere they create to compete," Hanigan added. "Im just looking forward to helping the team out. Theyve got a lot of young arms. Theyve got a lot of good pitching. Im excited to get to know these guys." Bell, 36, has 168 saves in 10 seasons with the New York Mets, San Diego, Miami and the Diamondbacks. He led the majors with 132 saves for the Padres from 2009-11 and his 166 saves over the past five seasons are third the majors after Jonathan Papelbons 173 and Mariano Riveras 170. Bell was 5-2 with a 4.11 ERA with 15 saves in 69 appearances for the Diamondbacks last season. He will have an opportuinity to win the closers job in Tampa Bay, although Friedman stressed the Rays didnt necessarily acquire him with that in mind. "I think I have a shot of winning that job, the ninth-inning job, but I see my role as being to come in to spirng training and show them what I can do," Bell said. "They always say I dont run from run from anybody, I dont back down from anybody. I go right after everybody," the reliever added. "I kind of feel like I just want to help the team out the best way I can." The Reds traded a catcher they no longer needed for a left-handed pitching prospect. Devin Mesoraco, their first-round draft pick in 2007, emerged as an everyday catcher last season when Hanigan was hurt. Mesoraco played in a career-high 103 games, batting .238 with nine homers and 42 RBIs. Hanigan was on the disabled list twice and batted only .198 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 75 games. Hanigan caught both of Homer Baileys no-hitters in the last two seasons. The 33-year-old became expendable when the Reds decided after the season that they would make Mesoraco the starter. They signed catcher Brayan Pena to a two-year deal for $2,275,000, giving them a backup for Mesoraco. "Devin Mesoraco will have the opportunity to become a front-line catcher for us," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "Holmberg provides us with the quality pitching depth that every team needs." The 22-year-old lefty was a Southern League All-Star last season. He went 5-8 with a 2.75 ERA for Double-A Mobile, striking out 116 in 157 1-3 innings. He made his big league debut for Arizona against San Diego on Aug. 27. Holmberg was drafted by the White Sox in the second round in 2009 and was traded to Arizona with right-hander Daniel Hudson in the deal for right-hander Edwin Jackson on July 30, 2010. ' ' '