FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Sharks - Game 17- 2022

FSM Essential Recap: Golden Knights vs Sharks – Game 17 – 2022

Franchise Sports Media

Vegas Golden Knights (13-4-0)  | San Jose Sharks (6-9-3)

The Golden Knights lose their second straight game for the first time this season, as they fall to their Pacific division rival the San Jose Sharks 5-2 at The Fortress.

Regrouping and rebounding from anything has been the theme for the Vegas Golden Knights. After losing their return home game against the St. Louis Blues, the VGK was looking to turn things around against their rival, the San Jose Sharks, at T-Mobile Arena. 

With the Sharks’ regression over the past couple of seasons, and Vegas’ domination of the series, some have insinuated the rivalry has simmered, not as intense in the past. Regardless, the two teams still see this as a rivalry, and getting a win is essential.

Logan Thompson was back in the net for the VGK, as the Sharks started goalie James Reimer.

The first period was scoreless throughout the majority of the period. The VGK were getting good looks and shots on goal but were unsuccessful in getting any pucks in the net. That all changed after Vegas killed off a San Jose power play. With over 3.9 seconds left in the first period, Jack Eichel scored his 10th goal of the season after hitting a nice one-timer shot after getting a pass from Shae Theodore to give the VGK a 1-0 lead at the end of the period.

The game becomes a back and forth affair between the two teams in the final two peroids.

Going into the second period, the Sharks tied the game 1-1 midway through the second period when Erik Karlsson’s laser from the blue line caromed straight to Luke Kunin, who was there to bury a one-timer from the right circle for his 100th career point.

At the 15:53 mark of the second period, Vegas answered back from a Jonathan Marchessault goal with a wrist shot from the right face-off circle to make it 2-1.

Just like the end of the first period, the Knights had the lead again at the end of the second. But the third period became uncharted waters for the Knights. At the 1:03 mark of the third, Matt Nieto tied the game 2-2 from a backhand shot in front after a pass from Alexander Barabanov.

The Golden Knights had good chances to get the momentum on power plays but were 0-3 on the power play throughout the game.

“Our special teams, in general, let us down late,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “A lot of your top guys are on that. But I thought the second goal gave them life, and that should never happen if you’re a good hockey club and take care of business in front of your net early in the period.”

The Sharks were able to get a goal on the power play from Timo Meier to give them the lead 3-2. The Knights lost the momentum once the Sharks’ Logan Couture scored an empty net goal with over 2 minutes left, and the last empty goal from Sharks’ Mario Ferraro gave the Sharks the victory 5-2, handing the VGK their second straight loss for the first time this season.

When looking back at the opportunities the Knights had on the power plays, it was miss opportunities, “Their power play won them the game, and our power play lost us the game,” Jonathan Marchessault said.

San Jose’s five goals were the most it’s ever scored against Vegas in the regular season. It’s not necessarily time to panic, but it’s something that the VGK needs to make adjustments, especially on special teams, if they want to remain dominant and hopefully make a deep playoff run later this season.

The Golden Knights be home again The Fortress as they play against the Arizona Coyotes  at the T-Mobile Arena on Thursday. They are scheduled to drop the puck at 7:00 pm, and the game can be seen on AT&T Sports Net (channel 313 on Cox Cable) or heard on 98.9 FM, FOX Sports Las Vegas 1340 AM.