LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings figured out a way to insure a two-game losing streak didn't turn into season-long three-game skid.

Pound the visiting San Jose Sharks from various angles, launching points and distances and then clamp down on them defensively from start to finish.

The result was a dominating 5-2 win Saturday at Staples Center in which the Kings returned the favor after falling to their Pacific Division rivals two nights before in San Jose.

The Kings followed the same well-grounded recipe that's typically led to wins this year -- establish control early by scoring first, then continue to build on that momentum.

Kyle Clifford did the honors on objective one, beating San Jose goalie Antii Niemi 2:27 into the first period to put the Kings up 1-0, and Justin Williams took care of objective two by tacking on another goal nine minutes late to put extend the lead to 2-0.

"We came out with a strong first period and definitely got it going from there," Clifford said.

Meanwhile, Sharks coach Todd McLellan seethed from the bench.

"They scored on the first shot," McLellan said, incredulously. "When you need a save early in the game, they score on the first shot and get all the momentum from there."

What irked McLellan more was the lack of response from the Sharks despite understanding the Kings would be motivated to rebound from the 4-3 loss in San Jose on Thursday.

"What a great opportunity for our team to test themselves collectively, but also individually," McLellan said. " 'Do I belong in the NHL? When I look across, can I go play the guy I line up against?' "

Instead of rise up to the challenge, though, the Sharks folded.

"And we had a lot of passengers," McLellan said. "So disappointing. So disappointing."

San Jose forward Joe Thornton agreed.

"If you don't have an A game you have to have a B game but some guys had their D game," Thornton said. "At this level that just can't happen against elite teams."

The Kings moved to 10-1-1 in games they've scored first moved their home record to 9-1 over their last 10.

More importantly, they pushed two points ahead of the Sharks in the Western Conference playoff standings -- 32 points to 30 -- and are now tied with Minnesota for fifth place.

Clifford figured prominently in the win, adding another goal midway through the second period to make it 3-1 and going toe-to-toe with San Jose defenseman Douglas Murray during a second-period brawl. Despite giving up one inch and 33 pounds to Marleau, it was Clifford executing the take-down to claim the bout.

"He got a big hit on (Anze Kopitar) and I wanted to make sure he knew what was going on," Clifford said.

It was Clifford's first multi-goal game of his career, but it's difficult to decide what was more impressive - the two goals of the take down of Murray.

Either way, the 22-year-old left-winger was a key factor in the victory.