Sharks blank Golden Knights 3–0: veterans finish, kids drive pace in San Jose’s preseason opener
The San Jose Sharks opened their 2025–26 preseason with a composed 3–0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center, powered by a 24-save shutout from Alex Nedeljkovic and goals from John Klingberg, Jeff Skinner and Tyler Toffoli. It was a clean checkmark against camp themes—puck support, exits under pressure, and special-teams execution—on a night that featured both veteran assurance and the tempo of young legs.
The first period set the tone even without a goal: faster close-outs in the neutral zone and quicker layers on exits. Eighteen-year-old Michael Misa drew a penalty and served as a primary entry target on the top power-play unit, while Zack Ostapchuk, Jimmy Huntington and Egor Afanasyev established the forecheck and physical baseline that would follow.
San Jose broke through at 7:18 of the second on the man advantage. Running through the half wall, Tyler Toffoli slid a touch to John Klingberg, whose wrist shot beat traffic for the 1–0 lead. The top unit—Skinner–Misa–Smith–Toffoli–Klingberg—looked organized on entries and purposeful once set, an encouraging signal for a group aiming to manufacture more controlled-zone time on the power play.
With 46 seconds left in the frame, the Sharks doubled the lead at five-on-five. Will Smith recognized space at the line and slipped a backhand to a charging Sam Dickinson, who threaded a pass that Jeff Skinner redirected at the top of the crease. It was a snapshot of the broader plan: veteran finish flanked by young play-reading and pace through the middle.
The penalty kill delivered a key inflection point in the third, surviving a 5-on-3 with a group anchored by Collin Graf, Nick Leddy and Vincent Desharnais. Nedeljkovic handled the rest, absorbing pucks through traffic and diffusing second chances with calm puck-handling on dump-ins and rims. In the final minute, Quentin Musty forced a turnover and Dickinson sprung Toffoli for the empty-netter to seal it.
Individually, the takeaways track with camp expectations. Toffoli provided the veteran punch—primary assist on the power-play opener and the dagger into an empty net. Skinner’s timing at the crease turned a good sequence into a goal. Klingberg’s quarterbacking translated immediately. Dickinson stood out with two assists and poise under forecheck pressure, and Smith’s processing speed kept San Jose on the front foot at even strength and on the power play. Misa met the moment at center: drew a call, touched pucks on entries, pushed the pace, and wore one minor penalty while testing NHL angles.
On the back end, Leddy and Desharnais managed the heavy, defensive minutes; Dickinson and Klingberg formed the puck-moving engine; and Luca Cagnoni paired comfortably with Cole Clayton, who blocked shots and kept plays simple. Down the lineup, Regenda and Anthony Vincent churned the cycle and handled defensive-zone work, while Huntington’s responsible minutes gave the checking line an identity. The collective details—cleaner exits, stronger reloads, more purposeful special teams—stood out as much as the scoreboard.
It is only preseason, and travel rosters vary, but the building blocks were tangible. The veterans finished; the kids pushed; the structure held. As camp rolls forward, the challenge shifts from a convincing first step to stringing together similar habits against stiffer opposition and tightening chemistry as the roster trims. For the Sharks, this was the blueprint they wanted to see.
Final score and team stats
Vegas Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks
Final: 0–3 (A–H)
Attendance: 11,613
Venue: SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose
Shots: 24–21 (A–H)
Hits: 29–33 (A–H)
PIM: 16–8 (A–H)
Faceoff %: 54.3% H / 45.7% A
Scoring plays
P2 07:18 — San Jose Sharks: John Klingberg (PPG) from Tyler Toffoli
P2 19:14 — San Jose Sharks: Jeff Skinner (EV) from Sam Dickinson, Will Smith
P3 19:17 — San Jose Sharks: Tyler Toffoli (EN) from Sam Dickinson, Quentin Musty
Actual lines and units
Even-strength forward lines
Line 1: Jeff Skinner — Michael Misa — Will Smith
Line 2: Philipp Kurashev — Collin Graf — Tyler Toffoli
Line 3: Egor Afanasyev — Jimmy Huntington — Zack Ostapchuk
Line 4: Pavol Regenda — Anthony Vincent — Quentin Musty
Defense pairs
Pair 1: Sam Dickinson — John Klingberg
Pair 2: Nick Leddy — Vincent Desharnais
Pair 3: Luca Cagnoni — Cole Clayton
Special teams
PP1: Jeff Skinner — Michael Misa — Will Smith — Tyler Toffoli — John Klingberg
PP2: Philipp Kurashev — Collin Graf — Quentin Musty — Sam Dickinson — Luca Cagnoni
PK start (5v4): Zack Ostapchuk — Jimmy Huntington — Nick Leddy — Vincent Desharnais
PK (5v3): Collin Graf — Nick Leddy — Vincent Desharnais
Goalie plan: Intended: Starter first half to two periods; backup closes; Actual: Alex Nedeljkovic played the full game (shutout)
Individual performances vs. expectations
Tyler Toffoli — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 1 • ASSISTS: 1 • POINTS: 2 • 1 PPA, 1 EN
Notable: Primary assist on PPG; Empty-net goal to seal 3-0
Evaluation: exceeded — Produced on PP and late-game situation as veteran finisher.
Jeff Skinner — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 1 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 1
Notable: Net-front redirect from Dickinson/Smith late in 2nd
Evaluation: met — Delivered finish and net-front reads at 5v5.
John Klingberg — D (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 1 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 1 • PPG
Notable: Quarterbacked PP1 and scored opening goal
Evaluation: exceeded — Immediate PP impact and steady puck movement.
Sam Dickinson — D (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 2 • POINTS: 2
Notable: Primary on EN goal; Setup on Skinner goal; Calm retrievals under pressure
Evaluation: exceeded — Two points and poised exits at NHL pace.
Will Smith — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 1 • POINTS: 1
Notable: Backhand touch on the 2–0 sequence, multiple controlled entries
Evaluation: met — Drove play on wing and created at 5v5/PP1.
Quentin Musty — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 1 • POINTS: 1
Notable: Forecheck pressure; assist on EN goal
Evaluation: met — Energy and shot-hunting translated with late helper.
Michael Misa — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Drew a penalty with speed; PP1 entry target; Minor penalty (tripping)
Evaluation: met — Handled pace, earned PP1 reps, created rush looks.
Alex Nedeljkovic — G (San Jose Sharks)
SAVES: 24 • SHOTS_AGAINST: 24 • SAVE_PCT: 1 • SHUTOUT: 1
Notable: Clean traffic tracking and composed puck-handling
Evaluation: exceeded — Full-game shutout after expected split.
Nick Leddy — D (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Transport and first-pass exits; key PK minutes including 5v3
Evaluation: met — Top-four stabilizer with special-teams value.
Vincent Desharnais — D (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Net-front box-outs; heavy PK minutes incl. 5v3
Evaluation: met — Defensive stopper role matched expectations.
Luca Cagnoni — D (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: PP2 quarterback look; clean puck movement under pressure
Evaluation: met — Moved pucks and handled pressure.
Cole Clayton — D (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Multiple blocks; simple first pass; physical edge
Evaluation: met — Depth D executed role cleanly.
Philipp Kurashev — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Controlled entries; half-wall facilitation
Evaluation: met — Top-six facilitator with PP2 touches.
Collin Graf — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Carried play through the middle; 5v3 PK duty with Leddy/Desharnais
Evaluation: met — Responsible two-way minutes and special teams.
Egor Afanasyev — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Board wins; hits; net-front screens
Evaluation: met — Forecheck and physical presence as planned.
Zack Ostapchuk — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: PK start; multiple hits; forecheck pressure
Evaluation: met — Energy + PK audition successful.
Pavol Regenda — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Net-front presence; cycle support late
Evaluation: met — Depth winger usage as expected.
Anthony Vincent — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Faceoff wins; heavy hits; key clears on PK
Evaluation: met — Responsible depth minutes.
Jimmy Huntington — F (San Jose Sharks)
GOALS: 0 • ASSISTS: 0 • POINTS: 0
Notable: Defensive-zone draws; strong work rate; 3rd-line center minutes
Evaluation: met — Handled checking assignments and PK minutes.
Line and pair performance
forward line
Jeff Skinner — Michael Misa — Will Smith
GOALS_FOR: 1 • GOALS_AGAINST: 0
Evaluation: met — Generated the 5v5 Skinner goal; chemistry looked promising.
forward line
Philipp Kurashev — Collin Graf — Tyler Toffoli
GOALS_FOR: 0 • GOALS_AGAINST: 0
Evaluation: met — Controlled entries and zone time; Toffoli produced on PP and EN.
forward line
Egor Afanasyev — Jimmy Huntington — Zack Ostapchuk
GOALS_FOR: 0 • GOALS_AGAINST: 0
Evaluation: met — Heavier forecheck line tilted the ice and drew penalties.
forward line
Pavol Regenda — Anthony Vincent — Quentin Musty
GOALS_FOR: 0 • GOALS_AGAINST: 0
Evaluation: met — Energy line sustained O-zone time; Musty added EN assist.
defense pair
Sam Dickinson — John Klingberg
GOALS_FOR: 2 • GOALS_AGAINST: 0
Evaluation: exceeded — PP quarterbacking and two points from Dickinson/Klingberg drove offense.
defense pair
Nick Leddy — Vincent Desharnais
GOALS_FOR: 0 • GOALS_AGAINST: 0
Evaluation: met — Heavy usage, clean slot protection, key PK work.
defense pair
Luca Cagnoni — Cole Clayton
GOALS_FOR: 0 • GOALS_AGAINST: 0
Evaluation: met — Balanced third pair; retrievals and puck movement sound.
power play
Jeff Skinner — Michael Misa — Will Smith — Tyler Toffoli — John Klingberg
GOALS_FOR: 1
Evaluation: met — PP1 converted; puck movement through Toffoli/Klingberg effective.
penalty kill
Collin Graf — Nick Leddy — Vincent Desharnais
SITUATION: 5v3 • GOALS_AGAINST: 0
Evaluation: exceeded — Perfect down two men; structure held.
Overall vs. pregame expectations
Most pregame hopes were met or exceeded: veterans finished (Toffoli, Skinner, Klingberg), rookies handled pace (Misa, Dickinson, Musty, Smith), and the goaltending plan over-delivered with Nedeljkovic’s full-game shutout.
Adjustments: Backup goaltender did not enter; staff rode the hot hand.