Sharks 2, Golden Knights 5: San Jose’s kryptonite strikes again

The Sharks and Golden Knights went to battle again in the Battle Born State tonight, and it seemed like it was going to be a very competitive game — at least until the second period.

After some back and forth action heading into the second period, with goals by Nick Holden and Erik Karlsson, it was during a power play at 10:21 that everything started to unravel. Somehow, Vegas scored three short-handed goals tonight, something that contributed to a lopsided 5-2 victory for the Knights.

Preview

It’s a somewhat-perfect day for hockey in Sin City — 95 degrees as the doors have just opened at T-Mobile Arena should provide a very cool atmosphere for those attending the game. Tonight will mark the final preseason tuneup for the San Jose Sharks and what feels like their kryptonite in the Vegas Golden Knights.

Rosters

The rosters for both teams are currently unknown right now, but if I had to guess, it would be these lines from Friday morning for the Sharks:

#SJSharks lines for practice this AM

Thornton w/Pavelski, Meier
Couture w/Labanc, Hertl
Suomela w/Kane, Donskoi
Goodrow w/M, Karlsson, Sorensen

Fifth line is Radil, Gambrell, Chartier

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) September 28, 2018

Down the hallway, there’s been no word on tonight’s lines for the Knights other than the starter, which will be Marc-Andre Fleury.

Fleury starting again tonight in the last preseason game of the year.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) September 30, 2018

Tonight’s game will be broadcasted nationwide on the NHL Network, and hopefully without blackouts, as many of my Bay Area kin complained about during the last Sharks-Ducks game.

First Period

20:00: Well, one more preseason game before the real thing. I’m Bryan, let’s do this thing.

Jones in net for the Sharks, Fleury opposite him.

18:53: AT&T Sportsnet screwed up, and says Vincent Praplan is playing defense with Braun. Only problem with that is a) Praplan is a forward, and b) he’s been cut already.

17:00: Suomela off the pipe!

14:57: Good defensive pressure from both sides on that play.

13:43: Ryan Reaves with a big hit on Joakim Ryan that Evander Kane doesn’t appreciate.

13:00: I’m not sure if I’m hearing things right, but it sounded like Erik Karlsson was getting booed.

11:50: Nice redirect attempt by EK, but Fleury says no.

10:30: Jones catches a high pop fly.

8:32: A compelling point shot from Nick Holden is easily corraled by Jones.

They just showed THAT William Karlsson goal. eye roll

5:41: Big shot from Burns from the point that Kevin Labanc tries to shove in, but nothing doing.

Ahhhh, bad blood. How I’ve missed you.

4:12: We have our first penalty kill. It’s a bench minor for too many men.

2:43: Jones’ glove seems like a tractor beam right now.

1:16: Nick Holden breaks the stalemate with a snapshot that Jones was just frozen on. 1-0 VGK.

END FIRST: Knights 1, Sharks 0

Second Period

17:23: Melker Karlsson has looked pretty decent so far this period.

They’re currently talking about the Evander Kane trade and they have absolutely disrespected Danny O’Regan. He’s not even mentioned in the trade overview.

15:48: Ryan Reaves is sent to the box for… throwing his stick apparently, and now the Sharks’ first power play unit springs into action.

14:19: SHAAAAAAAAARKS GOAL! IT’S HIM! Erik Karlsson plays a little passing game with Kevin Labanc before putting a direct pass past Fleury, and this game is tied!!

12:58: Marc-Edouard Vlasic is sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct. Not sure what happened there. He heads to down the tunnel and Labanc sits in his place.

10:21: Pacioretty calling for slashing. Burns tripped and Tomas Nosek scores on a shorthanded breakaway. 2-1 VGK.

9:33: Boy, Ryan Carpenter must be trying to tell the Sharks that they made a mistake waiving him — he’s played incredibly strong tonight.

8:43: Joe Pavelski escorts himself to the penalty box for hooking. Seemingly without Vlasic, the Sharks’ penalty kill unit will be tested here…

8:35: And just like that it’s 3-1. Anticipating many “trade Jones” takes in the Sharks’ Twitter replies…

7:32: Barclay Goodrow is making a case for himself to stay on this roster. Great effort from him on his recent shot opportunity.

5:18: I’m not sure what happened to Vlasic, but the Sharks need him badly. I’m not sure if I can stand watching Dillon-Burns again…

4:43: Jonathan Marchessault is sent off for slashing. Let’s see if this power play can recreate what they did last time out.

2:50: Another shorthanded goal, this time it’s Max Pacioretty. As hard as it is to watch, repeat after me: “It’s just the preseason.”

END SECOND: Knights 4, Sharks 1

As Lachlan said in our Slack chat, T-Mobile Arena truly is Martin Jones’ house of horrors. It doesn’t help that Vlasic went AWOL or the fact that Burns seemed on the opposite end of two of those goals.

Third Period

19:53: I approve the use of Saint Motel during the break in play.

19:29: Oh good, Vlasic is back.

18:35: Power play time, Jon Merrill comes off for a high stick.

18:18: You gotta be kidding me. Another shorthanded goal, and another goal for Tomas Nosek. 5-1.

Giving up three shorthanded goals, and five total shorthanded goals this preseason, could justifiably bring scrutiny upon Steve Spott.

12:21: Love too see the wave at a hockey game. obvious sarcasm

11:09: My dad just pointed out the lack of crisp passes by the Sharks right now, saying it’s more like they’re swatting at the puck. I echo his sentiments at the moment.

8:01: Colin Miller is sent to the box after basically pinning Timo Meier down to the ground. Official call is roughing, and at this point I’m praying for a better result on the power play.

6:01: Good news! The Sharks didn’t allow a short-handed goal this power play. Bad news — they did not score.

5:27: As soon as Collin Miller got out of the box, he’s heading right back in. This time, it’s a tripping call.

Cute moment after AT&T Sportsnet came back from commercials as Miller and a baby sitting next to VGK’s box made eye contact.

3:32: Sharks goal! Kevin Labanc somehow scores from the goal line as the Sharks get one back, but unfortunately it’s too late for a comeback. But, it’s a power play goal, no less!

1:58: Kane and Reaves have been yapping at each other all night, this time while Kane was escorted to the box for tripping.

1:30: Max Pacioretty heads to the box again, this time for tripping.

FINAL: Knights 5, Sharks 2

Happy hockey season, preseason is over.