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.

The Vegas Golden Knights have burst out to a 3-1 series lead through four games against the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Vegas finished the regular season eight points behind the Sharks and came into the series with one win in its final eight games. But after dropping Game 1 of the series, the Golden Knights have scored five-or-more goals in three consecutive wins to put San Jose on the brink of elimination heading into Game 5 on Thursday.

Though Vegas has shown that its game has gotten better each game, they want to keep improving as they seek to eliminate the Sharks.

"We have to keep investing in our game and building up so we can keep getting better," said forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.

The Golden Knights scored in the first two minutes of Games 2, 3 and 4 to pounce out to the early lead. Those fast starts and effectively threw the Sharks out of their rhythm early in each contest, but it's more than scoring quick goals that spells success for Vegas.

The Vegas Golden Knights look to move on to the second round as they take on the San Jose Sharks at 7 p.m. Thursday at SAP Center. The Golden Knights lead the series, 3-1.

NOTES
Thursday's game is the fifth of the best-of-seven between Vegas and San Jose. The Golden Knights can win the series with a victory. A Sharks win would send the series back to Vegas for Game 6.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Thornton return to the lineup for San Jose. Martin Jones will start in net per coach Peter DeBoer.

FAN FESTIVITIES
The Vegas Golden Knights will host a watch party for game five of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Henderson Pavilion (200 S. Green Valley Pkwy, Henderson NV 89012. The cost of admission and parking are free, and fans of all ages are invited to attend.

Those in attendance at the watch party will have the chance to win a variety of Vegas Golden Knights prizes. The first 500 people at the event will receive a battle towel. The event will also feature special appearances by Chance, the Golden Aces, Knight Line presented by playMGM, Knights Guard Presented by The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and a Vegas Golden Knights in-arena host. Fans will have the chance to shop Golden Knights gear from retail trucks on-site, and food trucks will be stationed at the venue as well. The game will be shown on a new outdoor LED Jumbotron screen. Fans should note the outdoor venue will not be covered by a canopy during the event. Golden Knights fans can purchase food and beverages on-site, or they can pack a cooler with sealed food and drinks. No outside alcohol or glass containers are permitted.

During his first interview with local media, Vegas Golden Knights forward Nikita Gusev stood with a translator to facilitate the English-Russian language barrier as he answered questions for the first time in North America.

Gusev maintained an expression of focus with hints of excitement as he opened up about his first couple of days in the NHL. That expression changed ever so briefly during one question and his eyes gave the answer that his translator was yet to speak.

When he was asked about his feelings of potentially playing in a Stanley Cup Playoff game, Gusev's face lit up at the mention of the Stanley Cup. If hockey is a universal language, then the words "Stanley" and "Cup" form the most exciting noun in the dictionary.

"That would be awesome," Gusev said through his translator. "I can't wait debut in an NHL playoff game, it would be a pleasure."

Gusev, who signed with the Golden Knights on April 14, was released from SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL so that he could take the next step in his hockey career and pursue the Stanley Cup. Already a Gagarin Cup champion in the KHL, the Moscow native is excited by the idea of chasing the ultimate goal in the NHL. He said it's a big moment in his life.

For the first time in his career, Mark Stone has been nominated for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL.

Stone, heralded as an analytic dream, was acquired by the Golden Knights on Feb. 25 before the trade deadline. Since coming to Vegas, Stone has been as advertised for the Golden Knights as the team forays into the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Winnipeg native joins fellow first-time nominee Ryan O'Reilly of the St. Louis Blues and four-time winner Patrice Bergeron from the Boston Bruins as the three nominees for the honor. In just 18 regular season games with the Golden Knights, Stone recorded 34 takeaways, blocked 18 shots and notched 11 points (5G, 6A). As a member of the Ottawa Senators, Stone collected 88 takeaways, 53 blocked shots and 62 points (28G, 34A) in 59 appearances.

While his offensive production is what's left on a scoresheet, Stone's defensive tendencies make all the difference on the ice during the course of a game.

Mark Stone's playoff line in many ways reflects why he is a finalist for the Selke Trophy.

Stones leads the Stanley Cup Playoffs in goals (6), points (10) and takeaways (8). To date he has been the most complete player in the postseason and he was just as effective in the regular season upon which voters cast their Selke ballots.

Stone's unique mix of skills make him one of the most valuable players in the NHL and this was confirmed by the Professional Hockey Writers Association on Wednesday when he was announced as a Selke finalist along with Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Ryan O'Reilly of the St. Louis Blues.

"To be put into that class is pretty special for me," Stone said. "Looking back on all the guys who have won that award, Jonathan Toews, Patrice Bergeron, Anze Kopitar, these are elite, cream-of-the-crop players. It's a really cool day for me."

The Selke is awarded to the NHL forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.

In today's NHL, that player is an elite penalty killer, puck possession driver and at least a 50-point man. Stone ticks all those boxes and more.

He led the NHL in takeaways with 122 and the closest competition was Florida's Aleksandr Barkov back at 100.

VEGAS (April 17, 2019) - The National Hockey League announced today, April 17, that Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone has been named a finalist for the 2019 Frank J. Selke Trophy. Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron and St. Louis Blues forward Ryan O'Reilly are the other two finalists for the award, which is given annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season and will be announced at the 2019 NHL Awards™ presented by Bridgestone on Wednesday, June 19 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Stone, 26, led the league with 122 takeaways, recorded a career-high 33 goals and 73 points and also had a career-best 71 blocked shots, which tied for sixth amongst forwards. The Winnipeg, MB native was the only player in the league to have over 100 takeaways, 30 goals and 70 blocked shots on the season. Stone is the first winger to be named a finalist for the Selke Trophy since St. Louis' David Backes finished second in the voting following the 2011-12 season.

The Golden Knights acquired Stone from the Ottawa Senators on February 25, 2019. After joining Vegas, Stone tallied 11 points (5G, 6A) in 18 regular-season games and has led the NHL during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 10 points (6G, 4A) and eight takeaways in four games against the San Jose Sharks. This is the first time that Stone has been named a Selke finalist. He previously finished sixth in Selke voting following the 2016-17 season and was runner-up in the Calder voting following the 2014-15 season.

ABOUT THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Vegas Golden Knights are a National Hockey League franchise owned and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC. The Vegas Golden Knights were established by founding partners William Foley and his family and the Maloof family. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights visit vegasgoldenknights.com. Fans can follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

NEW YORK (April 17, 2019) - The National Hockey League announced today the list of nominees for the 2018-19 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is awarded "to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."

The nominees were selected by their respective NHL clubs. The winner will be selected by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. The selection committee will apply the following criteria in determining the finalists and winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy:

• Clear and measurable positive impact on the community
• Investment of time and resources
• Commitment to a particular cause or community
• Commitment to the League's community initiatives (Hockey is for Everyone, Hockey Fights Cancer, Future Goals, Learn to Play, NHL Green, etc.)
• Creativity of programming
• Use of influence; engagement of others

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland was selected because of the impact he has had on the Las Vegas community. Engelland and his wife, Melissa, started a program to honor local heroes known as "Engo's Heroes" at Golden Knights home games throughout the season, meeting and thanking each guest after the games. Engelland has also worked with Three Square to help children and families in need and has continued a six-year relationship with local firefighters that has raised money for children who cannot afford to play hockey.

Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside all 27 shots he faced as the Vegas Golden Knights earned a 5-0 victory against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas leads the best-of-seven series, 3-1.

HOW IT WENT DOWN
Vegas continued its trend of scoring early as Max Pacioretty notched his fourth goal of the playoffs at 1:11 of the first. In the final minute of the frame, Shea Theodore burst through the San Jose defense and put the Golden Knights ahead, 2-0. Pacioretty scored again in the second period and Vegas carried the 3-0 lead into the third period. Goals from Alex Tuch and Jonathan Marchessault were cherries on top of Vegas' 5-0 win in Game 4.

TOP PERFORMERS
Marc-Andre Fleury: Fleury remained steady in the Vegas net as he earned the 15th playoff shutout of his career.

Max Pacioretty: Pacioretty continued his torrent start to the playoffs with a four-point showing (2G, 2A).

Shea Theodore: Theodore posted his second consecutive multi-point game as he notched a goal and an assist.

The National Hockey League announced the start time of Game 5 of the First Round Series between the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks has been set for 7 p.m. PT on Thursday, April 18, in San Jose. The game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet, FOX Sports 98.9/1340 and ESPN Deportes in market. It will also air on NBCSN nationally out-of-market.