The regular season began with a bang as the home team Vegas Golden Knights scored two goals in the opening five minutes. Mark Stone added Vegas’ first goal of the season on the power play. Reilly Smith doubled the score with his first making it 2-0 Golden Knights. San Jose would get one back to make a 2-1 game after one period. Vegas defenseman Nate Schmidt left the game and wouldn’t return with an apparent knee injury.
Vegas came out hot again to start the period when Cody Glass scored his first NHL goal 2:12 into the 2nd period. Glass converted on a beautiful cross-crease pass from Max Pacioretty. The two teams traded power plays, but neither could convert. After 40 minutes, Vegas held the 3-1 edge.
The Golden Knights fought off an early 3rd period Sharks power play, and Smith and William Karlsson took advantage. Smith scored his second goal of the game and first shorthanded goal of the season. The Golden Knights had to kill off a late penalty, but their kill stood up for the fifth time to keep the Sharks at one.
Vegas heads up to San Jose for the Sharks home opener on Friday night. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.