SAN JOSE – The Sharks scored three targets on their first six pictures of the preseason and earned a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday at SAP Middle.
Defenseman Henry Thrun had three factors within the first interval, together with a aim simply 24 seconds in as his wrist shot from simply contained in the blue line received previous Golden Knights goalie Jiri Patera.
Thrun additionally assisted on Tomas Hertl’s aim on the 9:03 mark of the primary interval and scored on one other shot from the purpose on an influence play with 40 seconds left earlier than intermission, serving to the Sharks win their exhibition season opener earlier than an introduced crowd of 9,785.
Ahead Nathan Todd and defenseman Kyle Burroughs additionally scored for San Jose, which, like Vegas, solely dressed a handful of gamers who’re nonetheless anticipated to be within the NHL when the 2 groups meet Oct. 12 within the common season opener.
Beginning goalie Kaapo Kahkonen, in his second full season with the Sharks, made 32 saves, together with 19 within the first two intervals. Kahkonen is anticipated to separate time in web this season with Mackenzie Blackwood, who was acquired by the Sharks in June from New Jersey for a 2023 sixth-round draft decide.
The Sharks dressed a handful of gamers they acquired within the offseason, with their prime line that includes Hertl between new wingers Mike Hoffman and Filip Zadina. Forwards Anthony Duclair and Givani Smith additionally dressed, and Thrun was paired with Jan Rutta, who was acquired from Pittsburgh in August as a part of the commerce that despatched Erik Karlsson to the Penguins.
Burroughs, who signed a three-year, $3.3 million take care of the Sharks as a free agent on July 1, was paired with Jake Furlong, a 2022 draft decide, and had the largest hit of the night time.
Within the second interval, with Max Comtois coming throughout the blue line, Burroughs caught out his hip and leveled the Golden Knights ahead shortly after he launched the puck. Burroughs received a two-minute minor for interference and Comtois, on knowledgeable tryout, was shaken up however was later OK.
The Sharks’ preseason continues Tuesday night time at house towards the Anaheim Geese.