Alex Pietrangelo and Keegan Kolesar scored in the first period, Marc-Andre Fleury recorded his 67th career shutout, and the Vegas Golden Knights wrapped up the regular season with a dominant 6-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night, keeping their hopes for a division title alive.
“We played from game 1 right to the final buzzer of game 56 and put up our best record,” said Vegas coach Peter DeBoer. “Hopefully, it’s enough for first. If it isn’t, I’m still really happy with our regular season.”
Vegas’ win and Colorado’s victory over Los Angeles keep the Golden Knights two points ahead of the Avalanche in the West Division standings. However, Colorado holds the tiebreaker and can clinch the top spot with a win over the Kings on Thursday night.
Vegas will have to wait until the conclusion of that game to know if they’ll face third-place Minnesota or fourth-place St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs.
“Hopefully, we get a little luck, and LA comes through with a big game,” forward Jonathan Marchessault said. “If not, we’ve had a great season overall. No matter who we play in the first round, I think we’re ready for the playoffs.”
Dylan Sikura scored twice in the third period, while William Carrier and Marchessault also found the back of the net as Vegas completed a sweep of their eight-game season series against San Jose. Fleury made 17 saves to secure the shutout.
San Jose, missing the playoffs for the second straight season for the first time since 1996-97, managed only 49 points in 56 games. The motivated Golden Knights outplayed the Sharks, getting outshot 35-13 through two periods. Rookie goalie Alexei Melnichuk made 38 saves in his second career start but had little help from his teammates.
“Let’s be honest, we played a really good hockey team tonight and weren’t good at all,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “We didn’t give (Melnichuk) much help, and I don’t put much of this on him.”
Vegas wasted no time taking control of the game, scoring twice in the first eight minutes. Pietrangelo opened the scoring by pouncing on a loose puck and beating Melnichuk, followed shortly after by Kolesar, who buried a rebound to extend the lead.
The Golden Knights continued their onslaught, with Carrier and Marchessault adding goals in the second period to put the game out of reach.
“In a game like this, you want to break the opponent’s will as fast as possible, and we did that,” said Marchessault.
MARLEAU’S FAREWELL?
Sharks forward Patrick Marleau received a special sendoff in what could have been his final game with the franchise. His teammates presented him with a custom painting of him and Gordie Howe, celebrating Marleau’s record-breaking achievement for most NHL games. At the request of the Howe family, Marleau was also given the stick Gordie Howe used in his final NHL game, which had been on display at the Hall of Fame. Marleau’s own stick from his record-setting game will replace it in the Hall.
Marleau was the last player off the ice, acknowledging the small crowd in attendance.
“If this was his last game, I’m glad I had a front-row seat,” said DeBoer, who coached Marleau during his time in San Jose. “As accomplished as he is as a player, he’s an even better person, father, and teammate.”
The 41-year-old Marleau will be a free agent this offseason, and the Sharks may opt for a younger roster next year.
UP NEXT
- Golden Knights: Await their playoff opponent.
- Sharks: Begin the offseason.