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SAN JOSE — Not even the return of defenseman Erik Karlsson — or the excitement that usually comes with playing a home opener — could provide a spark to the Sharks against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night.
By the time the Sharks did show some fight, it was too late.
The Sharks allowed two goals in the first period and two more in the second as the Golden Knights skated away with a 5-1 win at SAP Center to sweep the season-opening home-and-home series.
The Golden Knights got even strength goals from William Carrier, Jonathan Marchessault and Tomas Nosek and a shorthanded goal from Brayden McNabb in the first two periods. Nosek then added a shorthanded goal midway though the third period on a helpless Aaron Dell, who came in for starter Martin Jones for the final 20 minutes.
Jones allowed four goals on 23 shots as the Sharks fell to 0-2 to start a season for the second time in three years.
“Top to bottom, just not NHL level tonight,” Sharks captain Logan Couture said. “Pretty disappointing. Veterans, myself, all the way through the lineup, not close to NHL level. Disappointing to do it in our home opener in front of our very good fans.”
Barclay Goodrow scored for the Sharks with 5:55 left in the third period, a goal that was immediately followed by melee around the Golden Knights net. Five 10-minute misconducts were handed out, including ones to Joe Thornton and Goodrow.
It was one of the rare instances the sold-out crowd of 17,562 — eager to see another emotional game between the two Pacific Division rivals– were able to cheer.
Carrier’s shot from the right circle got through the pads of Jones at the 5:01 mark of the first period. Marchessault added to the Vegas lead after a Sharks giveaway, as he redirected a shot from Shea Theodore past Jones at the 14:09 mark.
Just like Wednesday’s season-opening 4-1 loss to the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, the Sharks lost the special teams battle in a big way. Besides allowing shorthanded goals to McNabb and Nosek, the Sharks went 0-for-5 on the power play, the same numbers they had with the man advantage two days earlier.
McNabb gave the Golden Knights a 3-0 in the second period just 39 seconds after Brandon Pirri was given a slashing penalty at the 14:43 mark. Nosek then scored the first of his two goals with 3:10 left in the second period, just seven seconds after Pirri’s penalty expired.
“I don’t know what is happening right now, but it’s on us,” Sharks center Tomas Hertl said. “We again barely play o-zone. It’s not about young guys. It’s about the top guys, me & other guys. We have to step up & be there, especially on power play. Three shorties in two games. Just can’t happen.”
Karlsson returned to the lineup a day after his wife, Melinda, gave birth to a baby girl. Karlsson was slated to play Wednesday as well, but left Las Vegas shortly before the game started to be with his expecting wife. Karlsson had 17:15 of ice time through two periods, second most on the Sharks behind Brent Burns (20:08).
