Golden Knights blow lead and lose to San Jose Sharks in preseason finale | Golden Knights

Preseason losses can usually fall by the wayside.

An exception could occur if the Golden Knights give up a two-goal lead in the final three minutes and lose in regulation time.

The Knights missed a hat trick from left winger Pavel Dorofeyev as the San Jose Sharks cruised to a 6-5 victory at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.

Sharks right wing Luke Kunin scored two man-superiority goals, both off deflections in front of the net, to tie the score at 5-5 with 1:42 left. Then right wing Ethan Cardwell scored with twelve seconds left to seal the comeback.

It was a disappointing few minutes before the Knights finished the preseason 3-3-0 with the regular season now just around the corner. The Knights will open their eighth season at home against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.

“You can’t just flush it down the toilet,” said Capt. Mark Stone. “We need a call next Wednesday.”

Coach Bruce Cassidy has stressed the importance of respecting the game during pre-season. That was true as the Knights crowned their likely squad on opening night.

Cassidy said much of the game was good. Through five games and 57 minutes of preseason play, the Knights appeared to have found an identity. The last three minutes changed that for a moment.

“We were overloaded,” Cassidy said. “Give them credit for finding a way to score and get to the top of our net.”

Goaltender Adin Hill allowed all six goals on 29 shots in his second preseason start, four of which came in the third period. San Jose tied the score at 3-3 35 seconds into the period with a shot from defender Mario Ferraro, which Hill apparently had difficulty tracking down.

That was the only goal that can be attributed to Hill. The other goals resulted from coverage failures or forward deflections.

Otherwise, things looked promising for the Knights.

The top power play unit scored for the second straight time when Stone blocked a point shot from Shea Theodore to give the Knights a 4-3 lead at 3:28 of the third period. They extended the lead to 5-3 when Dorofeyev's one-timer beat goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood for his third goal of the game, resulting in several hats falling to the ice surface.

“He finds ways to put himself in a good position and understand who he’s playing with,” Stone said of Dorofeyev.

Here are three takeaways from the loss:

1. Dorofeev seizes the opportunity

What makes Dorofeev so influential is his ability to score goals in different ways.

His first time was a backhand in front of the goal area after receiving a pass from defender Alex Pietrangelo. The second goal came off a deflection from defenseman Zach Whitecloud.

His third goal was a one-timer from the right circle after receiving a cross-ice pass from center Tomas Hertl – who had three assists – for a two-goal lead.

“I always liked Pav,” Cassidy said. “You can see it now that he may be ready to emerge this year. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but we think so.”

Dorofeyev has impressed at every preseason opportunity, whether playing with established NHL players or with AHL regulars, as he did Tuesday in Colorado.

He, Hertl and right winger Alexander Holtz combined to score four of the Knights' five goals. Cassidy may have a second line that works while center William Karlsson works his way back into playing shape.

2. The debut of the fourth line

The first full-time rehearsal of the new fourth line-up was successful.

Left winger Tanner Pearson was minus-1 in 14:50 minutes in his first game since signing a one-year contract as part of his professional trial contract.

The Knights outscored the Sharks 8-2 when the trio of Pearson, center Brett Howden and right wing Keegan Kolesar were on the ice and had a 9-1 advantage in scoring chances.

3. Change the top line

At the start of the game, Cassidy Stone moved center Jack Eichel and left wing Victor Olofsson to the top line. This trio was defeated 7-3 in 5:49 minutes in five-on-five play.

Ivan Barbashev moved forward midway through the second period. The Knights had a 5-1 advantage in scoring chances when this line played together.

Cassidy said he wanted to take a look at Olofsson at this point and also hinted that Eichel and Stone could start together on Wednesday if Karlsson was available.

Cassidy added it was nothing more than that, but “we have to make a decision on Wednesday and have the best information available, even though some of these guys have played three, four games.”

Contact Danny Webster at [email protected]. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.