Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau scored 56 seconds apart midway through the second period as the host San Jose Sharks defeated the rival Los Angeles Kings 4-2 Monday night.

Marleau had a goal and two assists to pace the Sharks, who fended off the Kings in their first meeting since last year's Stanley Cup playoff series, won by San Jose in six games. The last five of those were won by the road team, but the Sharks ensured history wouldn't be repeated Tuesday by scoring three times in the second period.

Thornton canceled out Jack Johnson's earlier goal for the Kings at 11:39 of the middle frame, and Marleau put San Jose ahead for good with a redirection of a Dan Boyle point shot that eluded Los Angeles netminder Jonathan Quick.

Boyle added some insurance on a 5-on-3 power play later in the period while Logan Couture chipped in a third-period goal for San Jose, which improved to 2-0-1 on its six-game homestand.

Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist for Los Angeles, which has allowed three or more goals in seven straight games since recording three consecutive shutouts.