7 Observations: Golden Knights Shut Out in Preseason Opener

The Vegas Golden Knights kicked off the preseason on Sunday at SAP Center against the San Jose Sharks. They played the required number of veterans, but there was certainly a gap between the talent they iced and the talent iced by the Sharks. The score reflected that, and the Golden Knights fell to the Sharks 3-0 off an Alex Nedeljkovic shutout.

It was a scoreless first period, with both teams shaking off the rust. This was the first period of hockey played by either team in at least four months– five for the Sharks– and it certainly looked that way. Both teams had a power play opportunity; neither converted.

The Sharks broke the ice just over seven minutes into the second period. Ben Hutton went off for interference, and John Klingberg ripped a shot home six seconds into the ensuing power play.

On Sunday, the Golden Knights struggled to get anything going offensively. Their offensive troubles manifested in the second period when they squandered two power plays and 22 seconds of a 5-on-3.

The Sharks doubled their lead with 46 seconds remaining in the second period on a delayed Golden Knights’ penalty. Will Smith found a streaking Sam Dickinson, who centered and found Jeff Skinner.

The Golden Knights’ offensive struggles continued in the third period, and they once again failed to convert on the man-advantage. Raphaël Lavoie received a 10-minute misconduct for elbowing John Klingberg, ending his night. With 43 seconds remaining in the third, Dylan Coghlan couldn’t handle a bouncing puck, and Tyler Toffoli iced the game.

7 Observations

1. I don’t know when, and I don’t know to what extent, but Carl Lindbom is going to be an NHL goaltender. He saw the puck exceptionally well tonight and showed off his athleticism. Lindbom played 31:29 and allowed one goal on 11 shots.

2. Jesper Vikman, too, was impressive. He began his night denying Philipp Kurashev on a breakaway and continued to impress. He allowed one goal on nine shots, coming on a delayed Sharks power play.

3. There was a lot to like about Kaedan Korczak’s game tonight. For one, I liked how Cassidy & Co. deployed him as they likely will during the regular season. Korczak played 18:09 in total, 2:29 of it shorthanded. He was solid tonight, recording six shots on goal and seven hits.

4. By now, it’s pretty obvious that the Golden Knights’ opening night lineup is set in stone. What still needs to be determined, however, is who wins the 13th forward job. Tonight was the perfect opportunity for Cole Schwindt, Raphaël Lavoie, and Jonas Røndbjerg to begin making a case for the job. That didn’t happen.

5. Ben Hutton is almost guaranteed to be the 7th defenseman. But after Hutton, who’s next in line? Jaycob Megna? Dylan Coghlan? Megna was solid tonight, blocking a few shots. Coghlan was rough, with speedier players blowing by him on more than one occasion. He was a -2 and fumbled a bouncing puck, which led to Tyler Toffoli icing the game.

6. Now for the bad. Lukas Cormier is 23, and he’s running out of time to show the Golden Knights that he’s ready to take the next step in his development. He looked rough tonight, coughing up giveaways that turned into scoring chances against. 

7. Alexander Holtz, too, is running out of time. This is a guy who needs a strong Training Camp and an even stronger preseason. Holtz’s defensive game is lacking to the point where if he’s not scoring, he’s not contributing. Tonight, he had a clean breakaway; Alex Nedeljkovic made the stop.