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Sharks 4, Golden Knights 5 (SO): Knights rally for a comeback win

Posted on by Eduardo Razo

The third match of the preseason saw most of the will-be starters in the lineup for the San Jose Sharks, including Joe Thornton who appeared in his first game since January.

New Vegas Golden Knight Max Pacioretty opened up the scoring, but the Sharks quickly countered with a Brent Burns goal a few seconds later. Using numbers provided by Natural Stat Trick, the Sharks dominated possession with a 53.1 corsi for percent and generating eight scoring chances for in the first period. One of the scoring chances came courtesy of Timo Meier, who fired a wrist shot past Maxim Legace.

In the second period, it appeared as though the Sharks were sitting on their heels after a Barclay Goodrow penalty shot made it 3-1. However, the Golden Knights refused to go away as they generated six scoring chances for and pulled out a 59.4 CF%, cutting down to a 3-2 deficit. A short-handed goal from the duo of Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture kept the Sharks afloat.

The Golden Knights netted two goals in the third period, including the game’s second short-handed goal that tied it and send it to overtime. They took advantage of the Sharks’ inability to convert on a 4-on-3 power play, leaving the door open for the Golden Knights to remain in the game and ultimately steal a victory away from the Sharks in a 5-4 win in a shootout.

Roster

As cuts are ongoing, the Sharks lineup is starting to take shape and getting less youthful. The first two games featured a more inexperienced squad filled with kids looking to make a mark, but tonight’s lineup is one that will mirror to what is on the ice come opening night.

One young player that remains on the squad is Ryan Merkley, who will get a more extended look, and it’s interesting to watch how he plays with a veteran-led lineup. Another name that will not see on the ice against the Golden Knights is Erik Karlsson, even though he was presented to the media and practiced with the team this week.

However, Joe Thornton, who’s dealt with a knee injury and hasn’t appeared in a Sharks match since January, will see some time on the ice tonight.

Pregame

It looks as though for his return, Thornton will center the first line alongside captain Joe Pavelski and Evander Kane. Also, with the addition of Karlsson, the quest begins to find Brent Burns a defensive partner, and it appears as though Joakim Ryan will get the chance.

After a two-goal performance against the Ducks, Suomela remains in the lineup anchoring the third line and Merkley will likely be on the third pairing with Tim Heed siting this match-up out after Curtis Pashelka of Bay Area News Group tweeted a correction from the morning lines.

Finally, Martin Jones appears as though he will get the start.

Check back at puck drop for live reactions to the game.

First Period

20:00: Hey everyone! I’m Eddie, one of the new writers here at FTF and I’ll coming to you with the liveblog for tonight’s preseason action. Let’s get this thing going!

19:17: That’s not the start we’d hope, but it’s 1-0 Vegas courtesy of Max Pacioretty

18:37: The lead didn’t last long as Brent Burns ties it! 1-1

11:46: Close call with Martin Jones out of position the Sharks dodge one

5:45: Timo Meier makes it 2-1 Sharks!

2:35: Sharks on the power play

0:35: Golden Knights are able to kill the Sharks powerplay

End of the First Period: 2-1 Sharks

Well, that’s one way to debut a new jersey! Erik Karlsson helps introudce the Sharks third jersey for the season.

Second Period

19:12: Sharks are headed back to the power play after a penalty by Paul Stastny

17:12: Sharks are unable to score and are 0 for 2 on the power play

14:15: Meier so close with getting his second goal of the game

13:28: Looks like we have a penalty shot!

13:27: Barclay Goodrow converts the penalty shot and makes it 3-1 Sharks!

5:03: A wrist shot goal from Oscar Lindberg makes it 3-2 Sharks

1:43: Sharks are off to the penalty kill for the first time tonight, slashing by Pavelski

0:57: Tomas Hertl clears the puck and finds an open Logan Couture for a short-handed goal to make it 4-2 Sharks

End of the Second: 4-2 Sharks

Vegas dominated the second in possession with a CF% of 59.3 (numbers courtesy of Natural Stat Trick) and appeared as though were going to tie it up after the Lindberg goal. However, the Sharks were able to deflate their attack by adding a goal on the penalty-kill.

Also, this a statement game for Meier and Hertl, it’s preseason, but can’t help the excitement seeing these two perform and dominate a game.

Third Period

19:38: Sharks kill the Pavelski penalty and are at full-strength

17:40: Martin Jones makes a good glove save on Pierre-Edouard Bellemare

15:53: Joe Thornton fires a nice shot but Maxim Legace was able to deny him

14:55: The Golden Knights score off a Jake Bischoff goal to make it 4-3 Sharks

8:27: Hertl is so close to getting his first goal in the game!

3:50: Sharks head to the power play on a penalty by Stastny

3:22: We have a tie game folks, Vegas scores short-handed to make it 4-4

1:50: Penalty is over and the Sharks are 0 for 3 on the power play tonight

End of Regulation: 4-4

Time for some extra hockey!

Overtime

2:20: Sharks dodge a two-on-one by the Golden Knights

1:02: Penalty Kill time, Pavelski gets two minutes for slashing

0:19: Sharks help prevent a tic-tac-toe opportunity from the Golden Knights

End of Overtime: 4-4

Shootout

First Shooter: Pavelski is denied

First Shooter: Erik Haula is denied

Second Shooter: Couture scores

Second Shooter: Alex Tuch scores

Third Shooter: Kane is denied

Third Shooter: Pacioretty is denied

Fourth Shooter: Hertl is denied

Fifth Shooter: Burns is denied

Fifth Shooter: Lindberg is denied

Sixth Shooter: Thornton is denied

Sixth Shooter: Erik Brannstrom scores

Final Score: Golden Knights come back to win 5-4

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