NHL: The Golden Knights bring the Sharks back to Earth

The San Jose Sharks had won their last two games, but the Vegas Golden Knights had no intention of letting their streak extend.

After picking up their first two wins of the campaign this week, the Sharks (2-11-1) suffered a 5-0 loss to Vegas (12-2-1) on Friday night.

Thus, the Golden Knights find their way to victory after suffering their first two defeats in regulation time, to the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings.

Vegas leads the NHL with 25 points, two more than the Bruins, who have played two fewer games than the Knights.

Alec Martinez scored two goals, while other goals for the Golden Knights came from Alex Pietrangelo, William Karlsson and Brett Howden. Pietrangelo finished the game with a goal, two assists, a +5 difference and five shots on goal while Carlson collected two points.

Adin Hill wasn’t busy, but he turned away all 20 shots directed at him to record his second shutout of the season. Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen surrendered five times on 39 shots.

The Golden Knights quickly showed what they were made of. Just 60 seconds into the game, Pietrangelo turned the ball over and quickly put it home before Kahkonen could reach the opposite post to open the scoring.

Then midway through the second half, Martinez doubled the lead with a solitary goal while on one knee.

After not scoring a goal in the second period, Vegas broke out in the third period with three more goals. Martinez got his second goal of the match to make it 4-0 at this stage.

The Golden Knights will return to action on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals, before heading to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Thursday.

Carlson’s hat-trick is not enough

Anaheim Ducks rookie Leo Karlsson scored the first hat-trick of his NHL career, but the Ducks still suffered a 6-3 loss.

With his three goals on Friday night, Karlsson brought his total to six goals in nine games this season. Alex Killorn had two assists for the goals.

Anaheim suffered its second straight defeat after being in the midst of a six-game winning streak.

The Flyers were able to rely on the brilliance of Owen Tippett, who scored two goals in the match.

Sean Couturier, Cam Atkinson, Travis Sanheim and Louie Belpedio also scored for the Flyers in the win. Tippett, Atkinson, Sanheim and Joel Farabee each finished with two points.

Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson stopped 35 of 38 shots aimed at him to seal the win. At the other end of the ice, Lukas Dostal stopped 30 of the 35 shots directed at him.

The Flyers took a 3-0 lead and then the two teams exchanged goals throughout the game. But Anaheim was unable to limit Philadelphia’s two goals.