The San Jose Sharks are running into a familiar foe on Friday. They're playing against the Vegas Golden Knights, a rival with an all-time record of 25-2-5 against them. It's a sight Sharks fans don't want to see, especially with the Golden Knights winning eight of their last nine games.
I mean, look at where both teams stand in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights have 49 points and lead the division. In fact, they're one of the league's best teams, fighting with the Winnipeg Jets (51 points) and New Jersey Devils (49 points) for the NHL's top spot.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have... 28 points. They're tied with the Buffalo Sabres for the second-fewest points in the NHL and sit dead-last in the Pacific Division. Granted, this is still a rebuilding year where fans are expecting a competitive team soon. But this season feels like they won't get that Stanley Cup contender anytime soon, even with Macklin Celebrini.
Let's turn to Friday's game and get a complete analysis. What can fans expect from the contest between both rivals? Will the Golden Knights fall into a trap and lose their momentum? It's best to get as many points as you can before the cold month of January kicks in. Otherwise, you'll be frozen in time.
Breaking down the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks
Let's be honest. The San Jose Sharks haven't been too hot lately. They're 2-7-1 in their past 10 games and are 6-9-1 at SAP Center this season. Compare that to the Vegas Golden Knights having a record of 9-5-3 and that's a recipe for disaster.
The Golden Knights are healing up at the right time, with players like Ivan Barbashev and Nicolas Roy expected to return soon. That could add to the incoming storm for the home team, giving the away team even more ammo. But that's not the only thing San Jose should worry about.
Keegan Kolesar has two goals and two assists in his past two games. He's turning up his offensive acumen by creating goals and being more aggressive on the attack. The winger will be problematic for the Sharks on Friday, giving them another reason to panic.
On top of that, there's the usual suspects for the Golden Knights. Kolesar adds plenty of lower-line scoring, yet it's the top line that gets the attention (and rightfully so). Mark Stone (seven goals, 28 points) and Jack Eichel (45 points) have been spectacular this season, creating plays and causing chaos in the NHL.
Therefore, it should be an easy game for the Golden Knights. A 5-2 victory should be expected from the boys in silver and gold, even if it's an away game. They're on a roll right now and are playing an easier schedule. Considering the Sharks have struggled in recent weeks, that'll give the Golden Knights more time for maintenance and preparation.