The Vegas Golden Knights entered the second game of the back-to-back, riding the high of their first preseason win. Despite icing a young roster, they were the better team for most of the game, and the final score reflected it. A third power play goal lifted the Golden Knights to a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.

The first preseason goal the Golden Knights allowed came on the penalty kill; since then, they’re seven for seven. They killed off a Sharks power play early in the first period, and another halfway through for good measure. They had a power play opportunity, but didn’t convert.

The Sharks broke the ice 4:48 into the second period. Alexander Wennberg collected Ethan Cardwell’s rebound behind the net and tried to center. Jaycob Megna flubbed a clearing attempt, and Dmitry Orlov blasted the puck past Akira Schmid.

Less than four minutes later, the Golden Knights tied the game. Jakub Demek won an offensive zone face-off, and Cole Schwindt fired a shot on net. Igor Chernyshov blocked Schwindt’s shot right, but Schwindt held the puck in and fired a long-range wrister that beat Yaroslav Askarov through Demek’s screen.

The Sharks pushed back towards the end of the second and had the Golden Knights on their heels to end the period. However, despite a close call, Akira Schmid didn’t surrender another goal.

Alexander Holtz drew a penalty five minutes into the third period to send the Golden Knights to their fourth power play of the night. Braeden Bowman won a wall battle off the face-off and sent the puck back to Lukas Cormier. Cormier walked the line, played catch with Jakub Brabenec, and one-timed a rocket past Askarov’s glove.

The Golden Knights shut the door in the third period; the Sharks managed just three shots on goal. The Sharks had a late power play and pulled Askarov for the extra attacker, but couldn’t generate any real offense, and the Golden Knights cruised to their second win of the preseason.

Three stars of the game: Lukas Cormier, Dmitry Orlov, Yaroslav Askarov

7 Golden Knights Observations

1. For the most part, I liked what I saw from Kaedan Korczak. He blocked a few shots and played 19:03– 2:56 shorthanded. However, William Eklund blew by him for a really good scoring chance towards the end of the first period. 

2. As it stands, Cole Schwindt is probably leading the race to be the 13th forward. He was one of the best players on the ice tonight. He led all forwards in shorthanded time on ice and was a huge reason why the Sharks struggled to generate much offense on the power play.

3. Alexander Holtz wore an ‘A’ tonight. He earned it with his play on Thursday; tonight, he picked up right where he left off. He was buzzing all game. Holtz made plays, won puck battles, and drew the penalty leading to Lukas Cormier’s go-ahead goal in the third period.

4. Cole Schwindt and Alexander Holtz took strides in the race for the 13th forward position. However, Raphaël Lavoie didn’t fall too far behind. On Friday, he did everything but score. He drove the net, registered two shots on goal, and was on the ice to defend the lead when the Sharks pulled Askarov for the extra attacker.

5. Akira Schmid did well in his first full preseason game. The Golden Knights didn’t ask much of him, but he answered the bell when called upon. He allowed one goal, but it wasn’t a bad one. 

6. In his first preseason game, Joe Fleming really came to play. He registered three shots on goal and was a +1, but it was his physicality that really left a mark. He threw six hits, mucked it up after every whistle, and got the gate after roughing it up with Carson Wetsch.

7. Very few veterans played tonight, but for the most part, the ones that played wore teal. However, the Golden Knights– the Silver Knights, really– were the better team. They really shut the Sharks down in the third period, outshooting them 11-3 (and 29-14 overall). The Sharks didn’t even manage a third-period shot on goal until 14:41 in.