Logan Couture netted the game-winner just 50 seconds into overtime, leading the San Jose Sharks to a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night.
“I thought for most of that game we were the better team,” Couture said. “We played extremely hard. We played smart. We played good hockey.”
Mario Ferraro contributed a goal and an assist, Oskar Lindblom and Tomas Hertl each scored, and former Harvard defenseman Henry Thrun tallied two assists in his NHL debut. James Reimer made 23 saves for the Sharks.
Thrun became the second defenseman in Sharks history to record a multi-point game in his NHL debut, joining Scott Hannan, who also had two assists in his first game in October 1998.
“I was just trying to keep it simple, enjoy the first couple of shifts, and then build from there,” Thrun said.
Nicolas Hague, Ivan Barbashev, and Michael Amadio scored for the Golden Knights. Laurent Brossoit made 20 saves. Vegas secured a playoff spot earlier when Pittsburgh defeated Nashville.
“We’re playing for home advantage right now. Every team wants that, so we’re gonna stay focused for the remaining seven games,” Golden Knights forward William Karlsson said.
Amadio tied the game at 10:07 of the third period with his 14th goal.
“Well, we shortened the bench. Sometimes, that’s what it takes. It’s a different line. And guys, maybe they’re stale or whatever, with who they’re playing with, or whatnot. And that shouldn’t happen,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “But that’s a mental mindset that sometimes you put yourself into, and you gotta get yourself out. I thought this was going to be all about a mental challenge.”
UP NEXT
- Golden Knights: Host Minnesota on Saturday night.
- Sharks: At Arizona on Saturday night.