The Vegas Golden Knights have been in the NHL for two seasons, but they already have a rivalry brewing with the San Jose Sharks.
The Golden Knights defeated the Sharks in six games in the Western Conference Second Round last season, outscoring them 22-14, on their way to the Stanley Cup Final.
Each team has since bolstered its roster. Vegas added forwards Max Pacioretty, Paul Stastny and Mark Stone. San Jose added defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Gustav Nyquist.
The keys for Vegas will include avoiding San Jose's power play and keeping Karlsson and defenseman Brent Burns from showing their Norris Trophy skills.
"Really got to do a good job of staying disciplined and staying out of the box," Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt said. "And you've got to put pressure on their defense. If we let those guys skate all over the ice, we're going to be facing many more problems than if we didn't."
The keys for San Jose will include avoiding turnovers against Vegas' transition game. The games between these teams have tended to be lopsided Vegas wins or tight defeats. In the series last year, the Golden Knights won 7-0, lost 4-3 in double overtime, won 4-3 in OT, lost 4-0, won 5-3 and won 3-0. This season, they won 6-0, lost 3-2, won 7-3 and lost 4-3 in OT.
"When we play them hard and play them right, they're one-goal games," Sharks forward Joe Pavelski said. "When we get off our game, they've put it on us at times. That last time (in the playoffs), it felt like we handed them a little bit too much, and they're a team that if you do give them those opportunities, they'll burn you."
