Sharks and Golden Knights Battle in Season Opener at SAP Center

San Jose, CA — The NHL season officially kicks off tonight as the San Jose Sharks face their rivals, the Vegas Golden Knights, at SAP Center at 7 p.m. Pacific Time. This game marks the beginning of the regular season for the Sharks, while the Golden Knights are fresh off a shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

The Golden Knights suffered a tough defeat after leading a fast-paced match that ended in a dramatic shootout, raising questions about their fatigue level entering tonight’s game. Fans anticipate whether that weariness will give the Sharks an early advantage.

Golden Knights rookie Mitch Marner had an impressive start with two assists, but the team will have to cope without their top defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo, who is sidelined for the season due to injury. Coach Bruce Cassidy is hoping that defensemen Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore will stand out in Pietrangelo’s absence.

Meanwhile, the Sharks are gearing up with their rookie talent, although Michael Misa, Sam Dickinson, and Yaroslav Askarov will join the evening’s ceremonies but not play. In goal, Alex Nedeljkovic is expected to start for San Jose.

“This matchup is a big challenge for us, especially against a strong team like Vegas,” Misa remarked earlier, indicating his eagerness to compete despite being withheld from the game.

Fans tuning in can catch the game on ESPN+ in the U.S. and on Sportsnet+ in Canada. The atmosphere at SAP Center is expected to be electric as Sharks enthusiasts gather to cheer on their team.

The puck drop is set for 7 PM PT as both teams look to make a statement at the start of the season.