Quick Bites: No victory for Vegas in San Jose

The Sharks have ended the Vegas Golden Knights’ two-game preseason win streak with a 5-2 victory at SAP Center.

Tonight’s game was a great balance of veteran presence and youth talent, something the Sharks will need in spades come the regular season. If the preseason is teaching us anything, it’s that there is plenty of chemistry to work with in the Sharks’ organization, which is certainly promising.

Danny O’Regan started the night on the top line, but switched with Chris Tierney before the second period. That’s not to say that O’Regan under-performed, but Tierney is another player the Sharks are likely looking to give more responsibility this season, so they gave him a look with Joe Pavelski and Jannik Hansen. Tierney and O’Regan both managed to stand out, with Tierney getting two assists, and O’Regan’s hockey sense regularly driving play.

The power play is shaping up into something resembling the 2015-16 power play instead of the 2016-17 power play. With Joe Thornton coming back from a major injury, and losing Patrick Marleau on the second power play unit, a shuffled power play is definitely in the Sharks’ future. All three goals in the second period were power play goals.

Again, this game was radio broadcast only, so let’s walk through these goals.

Kevin Labanc, assisted by Timo Meier and Chris Tierney:

💰 SHARKS GOAL 💰

Straight to the bank on the power play. #SJSharks lead 1-0. pic.twitter.com/LrYVj1MgKa

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 22, 2017

Joe Pavelski, assisted by Brent Burns and Dylan DeMelo:

🚨 SHARKS GOAL 🚨

Cap sends it in! #SJSharks are up 2-0. pic.twitter.com/3mKVBEwyk4

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 22, 2017

Jannik Hansen, assisted by Tomas Hertl and Joakim Ryan:

This is not a drill.

🚨 SHARKS GOAL🚨 scored by Jannik Hansen. #SJSharks lead 3-0. pic.twitter.com/XYK79moaDi

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 22, 2017

Brenden Dillon, assisted by Chris Tierney:

🚨 SHARKS GOAL 🚨

Silky moves by 🐍, sent to the 🥅 by Dillon. #SJSharks lead 4-0. pic.twitter.com/zGZDaV56VP

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 22, 2017

Tomas Hertl, assisted by Timo Meier and Joakim Ryan:

🚨 SHARKS GOAL 🚨

Ninja Hertl to the net. #SJSharks lead 5-2. pic.twitter.com/aKpSBGuyeb

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 22, 2017

How nice was that set up by Tierney on the Brenden Dillon goal? It’s very reminiscent of 2016 playoffs Tierney and that’s something I can get behind.

The goals for Vegas were scored by David Perron and Teemu Pulkkinen, both on the power play.

If the purpose of this preseason is for the young guys to prove themselves, they’re certainly off to a good start. The decision making when it comes to roster spots won’t be easy.