Golden Knights Hold Off Sharks in 4-3 Win Behind Hertl’s Revenge Game and Lindbom’s First NHL Victory
Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena had all the makings of a statement game for the Vegas Golden Knights - and they delivered. In a tightly contested 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks, Vegas leaned on a mix of milestone moments, timely scoring, and a little extra motivation from a familiar face to secure two big points in the standings.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded - and why this one might mean more than just a number in the win column.
How It Happened: A Wild Second Period Swings Momentum
San Jose struck first with rookie Will Smith finding twine early in the first period, but that lead didn’t last long. Tomas Hertl, facing his former team, answered back with a clean finish from the slot, set up by Pavel Dorofeyev and Ben Hutton. That goal sparked a momentum shift that Vegas carried into the second frame.
And that’s when things really opened up.
Colton Sissons, still searching for his offensive rhythm this season, broke through with his first goal of the year - a gritty rebound finish off a Keegan Kolesar shot. Less than two minutes later, Mitch Marner pulled off a slick wrap-around goal to stretch the lead to 3-1, catching San Jose goalie off guard with his speed and awareness behind the net.
Vegas wasn’t done. On the power play, Hertl struck again - this time deflecting a sharp feed from Marner to make it 4-1. It was Hertl’s first multi-goal game of the season, and you could feel the extra edge in his game all night against the team he once captained.
But San Jose didn’t go quietly. Will Smith added his second of the night, and William Eklund capitalized late in the second period to cut the deficit to one. Suddenly, the three-goal cushion had vanished, and it was a one-goal game heading into the third.
That’s when Vegas clamped down.
Carl Lindbom Steps Up in Debut Win
The third period didn’t feature any scoring, but it wasn’t short on tension. The Sharks pushed hard for the equalizer, but rookie goaltender Carl Lindbom stood tall in his NHL debut. The 20-year-old stopped 18 of 21 shots to earn his first career win - a milestone he won’t soon forget.
It wasn’t a flashy performance, but it was composed. Lindbom made the saves he needed to, held his ground during a frantic final push from San Jose, and looked like he belonged in the big leagues. For a team that’s dealt with goalie injuries and rotation throughout the season, this was a promising sign.
Top Performers: Hertl’s Homecoming, Marner’s Magic, and Sissons’ Breakthrough
Tomas Hertl - Two goals, including a power-play tally, against his old squad? That’s the kind of performance that speaks volumes. Hertl now has six points in five career games against San Jose, and he played with the kind of fire that can elevate a locker room.
Mitch Marner - With a goal and an assist, Marner continues to be a playmaking machine. He’s now up to 25 points (5G, 20A) on the season and just became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 20 assists to start a career with Vegas (25 games). His chemistry with the top line is becoming must-watch hockey.
Colton Sissons - It’s been a slow start offensively for Sissons, but Saturday’s goal could be the jump-start he needed. His ability to find greasy goals in front of the net gives Vegas another layer of depth scoring.
Carl Lindbom - First NHL game, first NHL win. That’s the kind of night you dream about. He didn’t just survive - he competed.
Stats of the Knight
- Mitch Marner: Fastest Golden Knight to reach 20 assists to start a career with the team (25 games).
- Mark Stone: Extended his point streak to nine games, now sitting at 16 points (4G, 12A) on the season.
- Tomas Hertl: Six points in five career games vs. San Jose (3G, 3A).
- Back-to-Back Strength: Vegas is now 2-0-2 in the second game of back-to-backs this season - a sign of resilience and depth.
What’s Next: Blackhawks Come to Town
Vegas wraps up its homestand Tuesday night with a visit from the Chicago Blackhawks. It’ll be the first meeting of the season between the two clubs, and with the Golden Knights starting to find their rhythm again, it’s a chance to keep the momentum rolling.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. local time at T-Mobile Arena. You can catch the game streaming on ESPN+ and Hulu, or tune in on FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 and Deportes Vegas 1460.
Vegas Fans Win, Too
As always, when the Golden Knights win, fans get a little extra - six free boneless or traditional wings at participating Buffalo Wild Wings locations in the Vegas metro area, with a $10 qualifying food and non-alcoholic beverage purchase. Offer valid for two days after the win.
This one had a little bit of everything - emotion, momentum swings, and a big-time performance from a rookie goaltender. If the Golden Knights can build on this kind of effort, especially with Hertl and Marner continuing to drive the offense, the Western Conference should keep an eye on what’s brewing in Vegas.