Jeff Chiu / Associated Press
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.
Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022 | 8:59 p.m.
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Jack Eichel didn’t swipe the ice from one knee like he’s done many times before to celebrate a goal.
Rather, he flashed a big smile and pumped his fists.
Eichel scored his first goal in 388 days, in his third game with the Golden Knights, to propel Vegas to a 4-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Sunday to end a three-game losing streak.
“It’s obviously been a long time since I’ve scored a goal,” Eichel said. “Good feeling. It’s part of my game. I want to try and chip in offensively, so it was good to help contribute tonight.”
Eichel’s goal gave the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead in the first period off a pass from Chandler Stephenson behind the net. It was Eichel’s first goal since Jan. 28, 2021, and an assist in the second period gave him a multi-point game.
Logan Thompson made 35 saves for his first win in the NHL, as Vegas’ top goalie prospect got the start for Laurent Brossoit, who had started the past two games in relief of the injured Robin Lehner.
Here are some takeaways from an eventful night in San Jose.
Thompson clutch in the first
For the second straight game, the Golden Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. They went on to lose 4-3 in overtime to the Kings on Friday.
Had it not been for Thompson making some big saves in the opening 20 minutes, the script could have easily been the same Sunday. He made eight saves in the period, including two shorthanded on a Vegas power play, to ensure the two-goal lead.
“I was really thankful that (coach) Pete (DeBoer) and the coaching staff gave me this chance,” Thompson said on the AT&T SportsNet postgame show. “I thought the guys played great. You get a lead like that, it’s my job to lock it down.
The reigning AHL Goalie of the Year stopped the first 27 shots he saw before Sharks forward Nick Bonino ended Thompson’s shutout bid midway through the third period.
Thompson made his first NHL start Jan. 4 against the Nashville Predators and said he felt calmer going into this start than he was in early January.
“He’s a big part of our team,” DeBoer said of Thompson, who signed a three-year extension with the Golden Knights on Jan. 30. “I really liked the way he practiced recently, so that gave me some confidence he could come in and do the job.”
Eichel’s skills on display
The sequence leading up to his goal shows how Eichel can be dominant in the offensive zone.
After a shot by Alex Pietrangelo was saved by San Jose goalie James Reimer, Eichel circled the puck around the zone for 12 seconds and found Chandler Stephenson alone in front of the net.
Stephenson didn’t possess it clearly and went behind the net. Eichel crashed the net from his right and trickled the puck past Reimer’s left pad for his goal. He added an assist in the second period on Max Pacioretty’s goal for his first multi-point game since Jan. 31, 2021.
"Just 4-on-4, get a little room," Eichel said of his goal. "Just trying to create chaos in the o-zone. I think Petro throws a nice little pick for me, and Stevie is kind of all alone in front. It's nice to see that go in."
Eichel had a team-high five shots on goal in 18:08, four of them coming in the first period. He had a breakaway in the first period, his first dangerous chance in three games, but was stopped by Reimer.
“It’s just a little bit of pressure off him, but I liked his game tonight,” DeBoer said. “I thought every game he’s taken another step and tonight he was much better than he was in Game 1 and 2.”
Eichel has three points since making his return from neck surgery, looking at times like he hasn’t missed a beat.
Dominance against the Sharks continues
This was once touted as one of the top rivalries in the NHL, but the Golden Knights have turned this into a one-sided affair.
Since the Golden Knights entered the league in 2017-18, they’ve gone 17-1-3 against the Sharks in the regular season. Add in the six-game series victory in the second round in 2018 and the three more in the seven-game loss to San Jose in 2019, Vegas has won 24 of the 34 meetings.
The Golden Knights have won 10 straight against the Sharks, including all eight regular season matchups last season.
“This place, a lot of friends, a lot of great memories. Love coming back,” said DeBoer, who coached the Sharks from 2015-19, and was hired by Vegas in January 2020. “I recognized a lot of faces in the crowd from the season-ticket holders that were here the time I was here. It’s always special coming back.”
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-408-6553 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
