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Thursday's game is the final meeting of the season between the Golden Knights and Sharks.
PLAYOFF PICTUREPacific Division:
1. Vegas Golden Knights - 46-22-6, 98 points
2. Los Angeles Kings - 43-21-10, 96 points
3. Edmonton Oilers - 43-23-9, 95 points
Central Division:
1. Minnesota Wild - 44-22-9, 97 points
2. Dallas Stars - 40-20-14, 94 points
3. Colorado Avalanche - 44-24-6, 94 points
Wild Card:
1. Seattle Kraken - 40-25-8, 88 points
2. Winnipeg Jets - 41-31-3, 85 points
3. Calgary Flames - 34-26-15, 83 points
IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY…
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Minnesota Wild vs. Seattle Kraken
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Knights were defeated by the Edmonton Oilers, 7-4, on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena. Jonathan Marchessault scored twice, with Michael Amadio and William Karlsson also scoring for Vegas.
SEASON SERIES
Vegas is 2-1-0 against the Sharks so far this season. The Golden Knights won 2-1 during their most recent meeting on Feb. 16. Additionally, Vegas lost 5-2 against the Sharks on Nov. 15 and won 4-2 on Oct. 25. Shea Theodore leads the Golden Knights with four points (1G, 3A) so far this year against San Jose.
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jack Eichel - 59 points (27G, 32A)
Chandler Stephenson - 56 points (13G, 43A)
Jonathan Marchessault - 54 points (26G, 28A)
Reilly Smith - 51 points (24G, 27A)
William Karlsson - 49 points (14G, 35A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 49 points (9G, 40A)
Shea Theodore - 41 points (8G, 33A)
Ivan Barbashev - 40 points (14G, 26A)
MILESTONE WATCH
Jonathan Quick - two shutouts away from 60 career shutouts
Teddy Blueger - three points away from 100 NHL points
Reilly Smith - three goals away from 200 NHL goals
Shea Theodore - two assists away from 200 NHL assists
PACIFIC DIVISION PICTURE
Vegas Golden Knights - 46-22-6, 98 points
Los Angeles Kings - 43-21-10, 96 points
Edmonton Oilers - 43-23-9, 95 points
Seattle Kraken - 40-25-8, 88 points
Calgary Flames - 34-26-15, 83 points
Vancouver Canucks - 34-34-6, 74 points
Anaheim Ducks - 23-41-10, 56 points
San Jose Sharks - 20-39-15, 53 points
OPPOSITION UPDATE
The Sharks were the first team eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention for the 2022-2023 season. Entering Thursday's game, they are last in the Pacific Division with a 20-39-15 record and 53 points. They are 1-6-3 in their last 10 matchups, coming off a 3-0 shutout against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. The team's points leader is Erik Karlsson with 91 (22G, 69A), Logan Couture is second on the team with 61 points (25G, 36A) and Tomas Hertl trails him with 58 (20G, 38A).
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 263rd win in franchise history
- Give the Golden Knights a 21-2-4 record against San Jose all-time
KEYS TO THE GAME
Positive mindset:Vegas is the top team in the west facing off against a team who will not be playing in the postseason. The Golden Knights should go into the game with confidence that they can secure two points and widen the gap at the top of the division.
Power play:San Jose has the fourth ranked penalty kill in the league at 83.3%. Vegas will have to be better on special teams to capitalize on any power play chances they receive.
