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Game Changers: VGK vs SJ, Game 5

April 19, 2019, 11:47 AM ET [1 Comments]
Jeff Paul
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Well, the San Jose Sharks are still swimming following a 5-2 victory at home in Game 5 of this wild and crazy opening series with the Vegas Golden Knights. A strong start jump-started the Sharks in this one, as Tomas Hertl scored a short 1:16 into the game, taking a page out of the Golden Knights’ book. In the last three games, the Golden Knights have struck early and often, putting the Sharks behind the eight-ball from the jump. Logan Couture would score on a rebound just under 10 minutes later, when Timo Meier undressed Deryk Engelland and put an attempt on Marc-Andre Fleury.


USA Today Sports

Reilly Smith would get one back off Erik Karlsson’s body and past Jones, with :30 left in the first period. Despite the late power play goal, the Sharks had all the momentum they needed the rest of the way. They’d get three more goals from Barclay Goodrow (on a perfect screen and deflection), Hertl again, and captain Joe Pavelski. Jonathan Marchessault scored the only other goal for the Golden Knights, on the power play. Marchessault’s goal brought the score to 3-2, but that was as good as it got, with Hertl’s power play tally coming 3:09 after Marchy’s. When it was made public that Martin Jones would be getting the nod again, after being abused in the previous three games, it seemed like the Golden Knights would run away with the game and series. Oddly enough, the Sharks were able to win and if they’re able to get through the Golden Knights in Game 6, they just may steal the series. With this one in the books, here’s Game Five’s Game Changers.

#1: (not bad?) Martin Jones

Yes, apparently that is a real thing. We may as well keep Jones in the number one slot for this Game Changers series following the win. Looking back, he has been the sole reason the Sharks have been losing. In Game Five, he did a good enough job to keep the Sharks alive. Jones made 30 saves on 32 shots and quite frankly, it was shocking to see. Heading into the game, conventional wisdom would have said to go with Aaron Dell. Jones had given up a goal on the first shot of the game, in the last two contests. His subpar play all season has been a problem for the Sharks, but they got a good enough effort to stay alive. With an early goal on the board, Jones may have been able to settle in and give his club a better effort, recovering from a .796 save percentage in Games Two through Four. He made big saves when called upon, including a dandy on Smith and impressed his naysayers, including yours truly.

#2: Tomas Hertl

“Ninja” Hertl burst on the scene back in 2013 at 20 years old, scoring 15 goals in just 37 games. He has always had a nose for the net. The talented winger came to play in Game Five, scoring two of the Sharks’ five goals, including the first of the night. His goal, a snipe past Fleury, gave the Sharks some much needed comfort and confidence, pushing the series to a sixth game on the back of his performance. Hertl racked up 35 goals this season, the highest total of his six-year career. He can be a game changer on any given night, due to his soft hands and scoring touch.


Tomas Hertl, USA Today Sports

With talent on his wings, Evander Kane and Gustav Nyquist, the Sharks’ second line will be vital to their success in these next one or two games. Hertl is the engine that runs the line, but he does have competent linemates. Hertl may very well find himself in the Game Six “Game Changers” article, whether they win or lose, due to his post-game comments. “We have one game and then come back for Game Seven and I believe it because we are a better team than them.” This quote may be inspirational or detrimental. Stay tuned.

#3: (BIG) Timely Saves

Both Jones and Fleury made great saves at crucial times in this one. Fleury sealed off the goal from Couture in the first period on his attempt at a power move to the net front, around Nate Schmidt. Fleury came up big once again with the Sharks third line buzzing, 4:40 into the second period. Fleury stopped a flurry of attempts at the net front, keeping the score 2-1, pun intended. A minute later, Jones stopped a one-time attempt from Alex Tuch from point blank range, for one of his bigger saves of the evening.


USA Today Sports

With five minutes left in the second, Fleury and three Golden Knights skaters made numerous stops in tight, with Couture, Hertl, and Pavelski on the doorstep. It may have been the craziest frenzy of the game with a 3-1 score. Hands down, the biggest save came from Jones on Smith, denying him on the two-on-one with William Karlsson, late in the third period. At that point, the Sharks led by one, with seven and change left on the clock. Jones went post-to-post on the huge stop and essentially saved the game for his club.

#4: The New Guy Line

In Game Three, the Golden Knights' second line provided all of the scoring. Paul Stastny, Max Pacioretty, and Mark Stone combined for 12 points in that game. In Game Four, the line remained hot with Pacioretty scoring two goals, on the way to a 5-0 win. In this game, that line was held in check by the Sharks, failing to record a single point in the contest. Instead, all of Vegas' scoring came on the power play, courtesy of their top liners. Marchessault, Smith, and Karlsson combined to be one of the best lines in hockey last season, but have had an up-and-down 2018-19 campaign. Stone's acquisition at the deadline may have been spurred by the need for more reliable depth behind that struggling unit. Stone's addition has payed off thus far in the series, but for one night, they were held pointless. Kudos to the Sharks for that adjustment.

**

With their backs against the wall, facing elimination, the Sharks got their best team effort of the series. Jones was good and their forward depth finally broke through, leaving a slight glimmer of hope. Game Six will be back in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday night. This series has been exciting so far, right in line with the rest of the playoffs. With the league-best Tampa Bay Lightning out and the Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, and Toronto Maple Leafs on the ropes, the “underdogs” are proving to be a tough out. With a win at home on Sunday, the Golden Knights can join the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round. Sunday’s game is sure to be a thriller, with both teams playing with an overwhelming sense of urgency. Depending on which Jones shows up in goal, anything is possible. Regardless of the outcome, this series has been a treat to watch and it will only get better for Game Six and (maybe) Game Seven.

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