LAS VEGAS — The Sharks already knew they’d be without 30-goal scorer Evander Kane for their season-opening game with the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. Then coach Pete DeBoer found out about an hour before the start that he’d be without two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, as well.
Mix in the fact that the Sharks were starting three rookies against a highly motivated team many feel are the favorites to win the Pacific Division, and the Sharks clearly had a steep hill to climb.
It wasn’t pretty, as the Sharks fell behind by two goals 5:21 into the first period and never recovered in a 4-1 loss to the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.