Sharks rally, defeat Golden Knights for third straight win

LAS VEGAS --Timo Meier scored the go-ahead goal on a power play with 2:48 left in third period to help the San Jose Sharks rally for their third straight win, 5-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday.

Meier gave San Jose a 3-2 lead when he quickly one-timed Logan Couture's feed after Reilly Smith took a tripping penalty with 3:45 remaining.
"Honestly, overall, in the first two periods, we didn't have the puck much. We had some looks, but we couldn't get inside and get shots through," Meier said. "We had to stay patient, and it was nice to get one at the end. That's how it goes sometimes."

Couture had a goal and an assist, and Erik Karlsson and Alexander Barabanov each had two assists for the Sharks (6-9-3). James Reimer made 24 saves.
"I would say it's [our biggest win of the year] just because we had an opportunity to win on our road trip against arguably the best team in the National Hockey League," San Jose coach David Quinn said. "We've been gaining confidence throughout these last three weeks with the way we've played and the way we've practiced.
"There's a level of believability that wasn't there early in the season. The guys have more confidence in themselves and their teammates."
Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault scored for the Golden Knights (13-4-0), who have lost their past two games. Logan Thompson made 24 saves.
"Our record indicates we're a good team, and I believe that," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "I just walked off the bench 10 minutes ago pretty unhappy that we let a third-period lead get away. Good teams do not do that. You have to give San Jose credit, but some of that was on us, how we defended."
Eichel gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead on a one-timer from Shea Theodore at 19:56 of the first period. It was Eichel's 10th goal of the season.

Luke Kunin tied it 1-1 at 8:05 of the second period on a rebound of Karlsson's shot.
Marchessault put Vegas back in front at 15:53 with a wrist shot from the right face-off circle to make it 2-1.
Matt Nieto tied it 2-2 at 1:03 of the third on a backhand in front after a pass from Barabanov.
"I just found a pocket there and some open ice and it was a great play by [Barabanov] and I was able to beat the goalie," Nieto said.

The Golden Knights power play did not have a shot on goal after Nico Sturm was called for high-sticking at 14:10.
"Our penalty kill has been outstanding all year, and our power play, after a tough start, has been very good," Quinn said. "I just had a feeling. We killed it off and did a great job killing it.
" … When [our] power play happened, there was a level of excitement. You could just feel it. It was a big-time goal by Timo."
Couture (18:09) and Mario Ferraro (19:44) each scored an empty-net goal for the 5-2 final.
The Sharks finished 3-1-0 on a four-game road trip.
"Every time we play Vegas, obviously, there's a rivalry between us," Meier said. "It's always a hard game. They're a good squad over there. They have a lot of talent. It just felt nice to get a win at the end of a road trip."
NOTES: Eichel's goal was his 400th point. … Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson had an assist to extend his point streak to four games (one goal, six assists).