“Avenue Q” is the smash Broadway musical hit about real life in New York City as told by a cast of people and puppets through a hilariously irreverent musical score. The three-time Tony Award-winning musical will make its debut at San Jose Stage Company with performances beginning June 1, running through July 3. San Jose Stage Company’s production of “Avenue Q” tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. The only apartment he can afford is way out on Avenue Q, where everyone is looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a “purpose.” Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that “The Real World” isn’t so bad after all.

This fun musical starts TODAY and will go through the weekend. Times below.

Joe Pavelski is the San Jose Sharks’ third-line center, but that doesn’t mean he’s not the same caliber as a top-six forward. He finished the regular season third on the team with 66 points, behind only Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. He plays on the No. 1 power-play unit and helps kill penalties.

Thursday night, Pavelski came through in the clutch, beating Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick with a wicked wrist shot to the top corner of the net at 14:44 of overtime as San Jose topped LA 3-2 to take a 1-0 series lead.

Pavelski’s game-winning goal, which was set up by Sharks forwards Ryan Clowe (who assisted on all three San Jose tallies) and Kyle Wellwood, came on a play the Sharks employed time and time again earlier in the game.

Pavelski’s presence is one of the main reasons this series should be a short one.

Granted, the Kings were a bounce away from stealing the opener, but there was a noticeable difference between the two sides. While Los Angeles had the momentum in the second period and parts of the third, the Kings’ level of play didn’t come close to San Jose’s when the momentum tilted toward the Sharks.

Both teams showed the best they can offer, but when the Sharks were playing their best hockey they were dominating puck possession, leaving little chance for the Kings to create opportunities of their own.

Had the Kings stolen the opener, it would have given them a huge boost in their attempt to upset the Sharks, but with the loss, the future of the Kings in this postseason doesn’t look good.

* Come into the 2050 Lobby Lounge & Bar (inside the DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose) where we will have the games playing on our flat screen HDTV’s