The Vegas Golden Knights secured a commanding 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday night, bolstered by two pivotal short-handed goals from Brayden McNabb and Jack Eichel just 23 seconds apart in the third period. Alex Pietrangelo was a key playmaker with three assists, while Noah Hanifin, Mark Stone, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Brett Howden each contributed goals. The Golden Knights scored four unanswered goals in the third period to dominate the game, extending their winning streak to five games.
Rookie Will Smith stood out for the Sharks, recording a goal and an assist. San Jose also received contributions from Shakir Mukhamadullin, who notched his first NHL goal, and Tyler Toffoli, who scored his team-leading 14th goal with an unconventional bank shot late in the second period. Despite leading 3-2 early in the third and being on a power play, the Sharks were unable to sustain their momentum against the aggressive Knights.
The Golden Knights seized control in the third period, capitalizing on critical opportunities to overwhelm the Sharks. McNabb’s game-tying goal and Eichel’s subsequent go-ahead goal within seconds exemplified Vegas’s ability to turn the tide. Goaltender Adin Hill provided a solid presence with 22 saves for Vegas, while Alexandar Georgiev made 30 saves for San Jose. Despite the effort, the Sharks could not keep up with the relentless Golden Knights.
San Jose’s struggles highlight the challenges of their rebuilding phase. Having lost five consecutive games and 12 of their last 14, the Sharks faltered against one of the NHL’s top teams despite moments of competitiveness. A poignant moment of the night was a video tribute honoring Tomas Hertl’s return to San Jose, marking his first game back since being traded to Vegas. Hertl, who played 11 seasons with the Sharks, was a beloved figure in the franchise’s history.
Looking ahead, the Golden Knights will host the Calgary Flames on Sunday night as they aim to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, the Sharks will seek to regroup when they host the Flames on Saturday night, hoping to end their skid and find success in their rebuilding journey.
