Golden Knights blow late lead in loss to Sharks, playoff hopes on brink

By Danny Webster

Published Sunday, April 24, 2022 | 10:02 p.m.

Updated Sunday, April 24, 2022 | 11:22 p.m.

Three years ago Saturday, the Golden Knights were on the receiving end of a blown three-goal lead to the San Jose Sharks in what still might be the worst loss in franchise history.

There may be a new No. 1 contender after Sunday.

Vegas blew a two-goal lead with just over two minutes remaining in regulation, including the game-tying goal with 0.9 seconds remaining, to lose 5-4 in a shootout to the Sharks and put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.

"Definitely not the outcome we wanted," captain Mark Stone said. "It's a tough pill to swallow, but we have to win the next game."

Sunday might not have been a Game 7 in the first round that was decided by a four-goal third period after a major penalty was called back on April 23, 2019, but it carries the same effect that the Sharks might have just ended the Golden Knights' season.

The Golden Knights (42-31-6) entered Sunday with their postseason destiny in their hands. Win their final four games, and they'd make the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season. That looked promising six minutes into the third when they took a 4-2 lead after Nicolas Roy scored for the fourth line's second goal of the game.

William Carrier, who returned to the lineup after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury, scored in the second period. Vegas' depth had carried it for most of the season, and it appeared to do so again.

But with 2:06 remaining, with the Sharks pulling goalie James Reimer for the extra attacker, Nick Bonino scored his second goal of the game to cut it to 4-3.

The Golden Knights cleared it to the offensive zone with Stone giving chase along the right-side boards. He missed an empty net with 46 seconds remaining that would've put the game away, but resulted in an icing that brought a faceoff back to the Vegas zone.

Brayden McNabb attempted to clear it from the corner with three seconds left, but Sharks defenseman Brent Burns caught the puck, settled it down and fired a shot that Logan Thompson kicked away. Timo Meier was alone in front for a rebound to force overtime.

"We turned it over a little bit, I missed an empty net to seal it," said Stone, slamming his hand in frustration when asked what got away from his group. "I don't think anything really got away from us. I think it was just missed opportunities."

One of those opportunities was a power play with 1:37 remaining after Burns was called for slashing. The Golden Knights had three shots on the 4-on-3 advantage, but couldn't beat Reimer.

Vegas missed all three of its shootout attempts, and Sharks rookie Thomas Bordeleau scored the shootout winner in his fifth NHL game.

"We have to execute at the end. We've got to execute with the goalie out and make some good defensive plays," coach Pete DeBoer said. "And then in overtime, we've got to cash in on that power play. That's the difference this time of year. You've got to make sure you're executing in those spots."

Following their biggest win of the season Wednesday against Washington with their biggest loss of the season, the Golden Knights close their season with three road games in four nights, starting Tuesday in Dallas.

Vegas, at 90 points, trails the Stars by three points for the second wild card and needs to win in regulation to improve the odds greatly. The Nashville Predators sit at 94 points and holding on to the top wild card spot and finish the season against Calgary, Colorado and Arizona.

The Golden Knights would need to win in regulation on Tuesday to improve their odds, but play in Chicago on Wednesday. That would normally be an option to go with both goalies in a back-to-back, but given the unknown status of Robin Lehner — who backed up Thompson on Sunday despite multiple reports that he was going to have surgery that would end his season — it could be Thompson for all three games.

"It's a tough one to swallow for me," Stone said. "Yeah, we need help. If we win our next three games, you never know what could happen. We've got to get back on the saddle and try to get this group energized for Tuesday night in Dallas. Because if we lose that one, you guys know what happens if we lose that one."

Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.