It’s been inevitable for a while, but now it’s really inevitable, we’re going to see another Vegas/San Jose postseason series. With four games to go, Vegas and San Jose are locked into 2nd and 3rd with the Sharks desperately trying to hang on to home ice advantage. The only thing up for grabs now is the location of the first (and more importantly the seventh) game of the series between the Golden Knights and the Sharks set to begin on April 10th or 11th.
Golden Knights when playing at SAP Center
Regular Season Record: 2-1-1
Postseason Record: 2-1
Regular Season Goals Per Game: 2.95
Postseason Goals Per Game: 2.5
If we could poll both fan bases, one would feel much more confident in their team advancing. Even though both clubs have struggled down the stretch. Vegas fans are hoping they see the Sharks, not the same feeling from Bay Area fans. There’s a bit of a lopsided history between the two clubs.
2017-18: Vegas vs. San Jose
November 24, 2017 @ VGK: Vegas wins 5-4 in OT
February 8, 2018 @ SJ: Vegas wins 5-3
March 22, 2018 @ SJ: San Jose wins 2-1 in OT
March 31, 2018 @ VGK: Vegas wins 3-2
2017-18 Postseason: Vegas vs. San Jose
April 26, 2018 @ VGK: Vegas wins 7-0
April 18, 2018 @ VGK: San Jose wins 4-3 in Double OT
April 30, 2018 @ SJ: Vegas wins 4-3
May 2, 2018 @ SJ: San Jose wins 4-0
May 4, 2018 @ VGK: Vegas wins 5-3
May 6, 2018 @ SJ: Vegas wins 3-0
2018-19: Vegas vs. San Jose
November 24, 2018 @ VGK: Vegas wins 6-0
January 10, 2019 @ SJ: San Jose wins 3-2
March 18, 2019 @ SJ: Vegas wins 7-3
March 30, 2018 @ VGK: TBD
In their thirteen game history, the Golden Knights are 9-2-2 averaging 3.8 goals per game. Vegas scored a total of 48 goals, +20 in goal differential and chased goaltender Martin Jones four times.
Martin Jones vs Vegas
Regular Season Record: 2-3
Regular Season Goals Allowed: 16
Regular Season GAA: 3.54
Postseason Record: (2-4)
Postseason Goals Allowed: 22
Regular Season GAA: 3.67
Jones plays below his career averages in almost every important category when he plays the Golden Knights. This season his Sv% is .892, it’s .912 over his career. When he plays Vegas his Sv% drops to .889. Also, Vegas averages 3.54 goals when they face Jones, scoring on average a goal higher than his career 2.47 GAA. Only Boston 3.92 averages more goals per game against Jones.
Before you ask, Sharks backup Aaron Dell hasn’t fared well either.
Aaron Dell vs Vegas
Regular Season Record: 0-2-1
Goals Allowed: 11
GAA: 4.46
With their 14th franchise matchup coming up tonight the Golden Knights will look to continue their success against the team higher in the standings. However, San Jose is desperate for a win to break their losing streak. But will it matter if they win? Or if Jones or Dell play well? Nope, it won’t really count until the opening round of the postseason. That’s the Vegas team Jones and the Sharks should be worried about. Not a group that just secured their postseason invite, playing on a back-to-back, and giving players extended time to heal up.
It’ll be interesting to see how much motivation the Golden Knights have to meddle with San Jose tonight. I’d say 3.54 goals would do it.
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