LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Despite a late comeback attempt in Las Vegas, the Sharks fell to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in game five of the Western Conference Finals with a final score of 5-3. The Golden Knights now lead the series 3-2 as they head to San Jose for game 6 on Sunday.
Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury – File photo by Jack Lima
Las Vegas opened the scoring with just seconds remaining in the first period, as Shea Theodore made a long shot from the blue line, that was redirected by James Neal to beat Martin Jones to the back of the net.
Alex Tuch scored the Golden Knights second goal on a power play, 4:52 into the second period. A series of shots on Jones, that he was not able to hold on to, when, one finally came out to Tuch for the goal. Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault were credited on the assist.
Golden Knights Jonathan Marchessault – File Photo by Jack Lima
Then about four minutes later, Erik Haula gets a pass down the far side, then takes a quick shot towards the net from a really tough angle. The puck hits the bar and sneaks in behind Jones up high to put Las Vegas up by 3.
In the third period, Tuch added another goal, when he redirected a shot. Fleury made several incredible saves, keeping the Golden Knights in the lead the entire game.
The Sharks finally got on the score sheet, at the 10:25 mark, when Kevin Labanc found a way to score against Marc-Andre Fleury during a power play, with an assist by Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl. Labanc scored from a tic-tac-toe, up high, for his first goal of the playoffs. Less than two minutes later Hertl closed the gap to within two goals, when he scored his sixth game of the post-season.
With 4:16 remaining in regulation, Mikkel Boedker grabbed a loose puck and found the net, leaving Fleury sprawled on the ice. The goal brings the Sharks to within one.
Golden Knights Erik Haula – File photo by Jack Lima
With Jones pulled for the extra skater, the Sharks desperately worked to get the puck to the net, unfortunately, the Golden Knights cleared the zone and Marshessault was able to put the puck in the empty net with 1:21 remaining.
The Sharks tried to come back too late in the game and were just not able to keep traction. Fleury earned another win with 27 saves for the night. The Sharks will be on home ice, in a must win to get a chance to go to game seven or be eliminated.
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