The excitement is palpable as the San Jose Sharks gear up for their season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights. This highly anticipated matchup promises to be thrilling, particularly given the rivalry between the teams. The Sharks will look to capitalize on their home advantage in this critical Game 1.
Game Overview
The Sharks enter this matchup as the season opener, while the Golden Knights will be playing their second game in a back-to-back schedule. Vegas recently suffered a 6-5 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings, which could affect their performance. The Golden Knights rallied impressively but ultimately fell short, allowing the Sharks a chance to jump on an emotionally charged opponent.
Key Players to Watch
- Mitch Marner: The new winger for the Golden Knights had a noteworthy debut, contributing two assists in the previous game.
- Pavel Dorofeyev: He stood out with a hat trick against the Kings, showing his potential for impact.
- Alex Pietrangelo: Unfortunately, the Golden Knights will be without their top defenseman for the entire season due to injury.
- Noah Hanifin and Jeremy Lauzon: They are among the depth players expected to step up in Pietrangelo’s absence, alongside Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore, who will assume top defensive duties.
Sharks Roster Insights
The Sharks are set to showcase their rookies, including Michael Misa, Sam Dickinson, and Yaroslav Askarov, during the opening night festivities. However, they will not be participating in the game. Instead, veteran Alex Nedeljkovic starts as the goaltender, while Ryan Reaves will skate on the fourth line.
Lineups for the Game
San Jose Sharks Lineup
- Forwards:
- Philipp Kurashev – Macklin Celebrini – Will Smith
- William Eklund – Alex Wennberg – Tyler Toffoli
- Jeff Skinner – Ty Dellandrea – Collin Graf
- Barclay Goodrow – Adam Gaudette – Ryan Reaves
- Defense:
- Nick Leddy – John Klingberg
- Mario Ferraro – Timothy Liljegren
- Dmitry Orlov – Shakir Mukhamadullin
- Goaltender: Alex Nedeljkovic
Vegas Golden Knights Lineup
- Forwards:
- Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Mitch Marner
- Reilly Smith – William Karlsson – Mark Stone
- Brandon Saad – Tomas Hertl – Pavel Dorofeyev
- Brett Howden – Colton Sissons – Keegan Kolesar
- Defense:
- Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore
- Noah Hanifin – Zach Whitecloud
- Jeremy Lauzon – Kaedan Korczak
- Goaltender: Akira Schmid
Viewing Information
Fans can catch the action of the Vegas Golden Knights versus the San Jose Sharks on October 9, 2025. This game will be broadcasted as a “network” event. Viewers in the United States can tune in via ESPN+ or Hulu, while Canadian audiences can watch on Sportsnet+ or NHL Centre Ice. Local San Jose fans can also listen through the Sharks Audio Network, while Vegas fans can listen on FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. PT at the SAP Center in San Jose.
