'One of the worst playoff losses in history'

That's how Fox Sports announcer Patrick O'Neal summed up tonight's L.A. Kings game. The Kings led 4-0 at one point, improbably enough, and seemed poised to take a surprising 2-1 lead in their series against the San Jose Sharks. But the Kings managed to lose the lead, the game and the series momentum, and to give the Sharks home ice advantage the rest of the way. Final 6-5 in overtime. The Kings' most hardcore fans will be talking tonight about 1993 and Marty McSorley's illegal stick. "Unbelievable," longtime team announcer Bob Miller said over and over during the post-game aftermath. Game 4 is Thursday at Staples Center.

Exclusively at LA Observed: A cultural critic attends the NHL playoffs. Native Intelligence