– The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES – Justin Williams scored two goals in the second period, and the Los Angeles Kings advanced to the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 on Tuesday night.

Jonathan Quick made 25 saves as the defending Stanley Cup champions finished off this agonizingly even series with their 14th consecutive home victory over the past two months, including seven straight in the postseason.

The home team won all seven games in this thrilling all-California series, and the fifth-seeded Kings barely rode their home-ice advantage to victory in their first potential elimination game in the last two years.

Antti Niemi stopped 16 shots, and Dan Boyle scored early in the third period for the Sharks, who fell just short of their third trip to the conference finals in four years.

The Kings will face Chicago or Detroit when they attempt to reach the Stanley Cup finals for the third time.

NOTES

COYOTES: The NHL’s hierarchy and a potential new ownership group met with members of the Glendale City Council to discuss a new arena lease agreement, the final hurdle in a four-year quest to keep the franchise in Arizona.

Yes, both are encouraging steps toward finally giving the Coyotes some long-awaited stability.

The Coyotes are the parent team of the AHL Portland Pirates.

The Coyotes added more stability, exercising contract extensions on associate coach Jim Playfair and goalie coach Sean Burke.

Coach Dave Tippett is expected to sign a deal to stay with the organization in the next few weeks and GM Don Maloney is hoping to work out deals to keep the rest of the support and scouting staffs.

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