Golden Knights Falter In Game 5 Loss

In search of a win that would advance the Vegas Golden Knights to the second round, they suffered a 5-2 defeat to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at SAP Center. Vegas still leads the best-of-seven, 3-2.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
The Sharks took a page out of the Golden Knights' book as Tomas Hertl scored 1:16 into the contest. Logan Couture added to the lead midway through the period but a power-play goal from Reilly Smith got Vegas on the board heading into the first intermission. Vegas had a slow second period and it resulted in a 3-1 hole after 40 minutes. During a power play in the latter half of the third period, Jonathan Marchessault wired a wrist shot through Martin Jones to bring the Golden Knights to within one. Hertl potted his second of the game and Joe Pavelski scored an empty-net goal as the Sharks claimed the 5-2 win.
TURNING POINT
Shortly after Marchessault tied the game, William Karlsson and Smith broke into the San Jose end on a two-on-one. Karlsson fed Smith who tried to redirect the puck by Jones but the sprawled-out Sharks netminder locked the door.

TOP PERFORMERS
Colin Miller:Miller recorded two assists for the Golden Knights.
William Karlsson: Karlsson also collected two helpers during the game.
Tomas Hertl:Hertl potted two goals to drive the offensive bus for the Sharks.
Erik Karlsson:The Sharks' blueliner notched two assists for San Jose in the win.
THE SERIES SO FAR
The Golden Knights had a chance to wrap the series up in Game 5, but the Sharks channeled their performance from Game 1 as they stymied all of Vegas' chances.
NEXT UP: Game 6
Vegas and San Jose head back to T-Mobile Arena for the sixth game of the series Sunday night. Time is yet to be determined. A Vegas win in Game 6 would be the first time in franchise history the Golden Knights would clinch a series on home ice while a San Jose win would force Game 7 in San Jose.