San Jose Sharks left wing Jeff Skinner (53) congratulates goaltender Alex Nedelijkovic (33) after the Sharks win over the Vegas Golden Knights in NHL pre season action at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Sep 21, 2025 (San Jose Sharks X photo)

By Michael Roberson and Vince Cestone

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks (1-0) began the 2025-26 NHL Pre-Season on a good note, with a 3-0 victory over recent rival Vegas Golden Knights (0-1), inside the SAP Center.

Despite not showcasing the high profile Macklin Celebrini, who was absent due to illness, the Silicon Valley fish still prevailed against their Sin City guests. Both teams were stingy on defense in the first period. Both goalies survived a power play, and multiple shots on goal.

San Jose had four legitimate shots at the net, to no avail, while Vegas more than doubled (9)the Sharks’ scoring opportunities, with same no net result, 0-0 after 20 minutes of action. The only real action in the initial period was a hooking penalty by Vegas’ forward Cole Schmidt, and San Jose’s forward Egor Afanasyev was punished or tripping.

The second period had some scoring action during its 20-minute stretch. The Sharks had 12 shots on goal, with two hitting the back of the net, while the Golden Knights reduced their attempts by four (5), with none lighting the lamp.

San Jose defenseman John Klingberg converted a power play “wrister” (7:18) early in the period, to break the ice in the scoreless battle. With less than a minute left in the second, forward Jeff Skinner tipped in a shot to putting the home team up 2-0 (19:14). That remained the score at the second intermission and 40 minutes of regulation play had elapsed.

The final period also seemed to be heading towards another scoreless 20 minutes; however, forward Tyler Toffoli had other plans for the third stanza. He maneuvered himself around the defenders and capitalized on the pulled goalie.

At the 19:17 mark of the game and period, Toffoli put the biscuit in the open basket, and put the Sharks up 3-0 over VGK. As the seconds ticked off, the Sharks accomplished an impressive shutout win inside the Tank.

“The real experienced teams jump on teams in the second period with the changes, the long change. So we really wanted to make that a focus…that translated to some goals.” Stated Sharks’ head coach Ryan Warsofsky

San Jose’s next preseason game will be a rematch versus the very same Vegas Golden Knights at the Tank, Friday, September 26 at 7 PM PT. Vegas will next be in action Tuesday, September 23, as they host the Los Angeles Kings in the Silver State.