3 takeaways from Knights’ win: PK shines in Hertl’s return to San Jose

The Golden Knights’ penalty kill has typically been a strength.

It wasn’t the first half of this season, but it shined when it needed to Friday.

The Knights scored two short-handed goals 23 seconds apart early in the third period and defeated the San Jose Sharks 6-3 at SAP Center on Friday.

Defenseman Brayden McNabb scored 1:03 into the third just 13 seconds into a Sharks power play. Center Jack Eichel soon added another goal to help turn a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead.

The goals came right after the Knights had a power play neutralized due a tripping penalty on right wing Alexander Holtz.

“I’m not sure we would’ve drew it up like that,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Good for the guys to get in attack mode and stay in attack mode.”

Left wing Pavel Dorofeyev scored 4:20 after Eichel to snap an 11-game goal drought. Left wing Brett Howden added an empty-net goal with 32 seconds remaining to cap off the Knights’ fifth straight win.

Captain Mark Stone and defenseman Noah Hanifin also scored, while goaltender Adin Hill made 22 saves. The Knights (24-8-3) picked up their ninth win in 10 games and their 14th comeback victory of the season, the most in the NHL.

The win also vaulted the Knights to the top of the league standings with a .729 points percentage.

“It was a hell of a penalty kill for us,” said defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who had three assists. “I think we needed that momentum.”

The game continued an impressive stretch for the penalty kill.

The Knights are 27-for-31 since Nov. 25 after going 3-for-3 on Friday. They were just 33-for-44 their first 21 games.

The Knights started strong Friday and took a 1-0 lead 6:58 into the first period on a transition goal by Hanifin. The Sharks tied the game with a fortunate break when defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin’s point shot bounced off Hill’s right pad and into the net with 5:20 left in the first.

Stone gave the Knights the lead back 3:27 into the second, but San Jose center Macklin Celebrini — the first overall pick at June’s NHL draft at Sphere — forced a turnover in the neutral zone and set up teammate Will Smith 2:26 later.

The Sharks then took the lead when right wing Tyler Toffoli banked a shot below the goal line off defenseman Nic Hague and into the net with 4:03 left before the second intermission.

The Knights made sure the bounce was forgotten with their short-handed flurry early in the third period. They improved to 6-7 when trailing after two periods, which is the second-best record in the NHL.

“We’re a good team. We’re a veteran team,” Cassidy said. “They usually respond very well. That mentality has been here for a long time. For myself, if you pick the right spot, they’ll respond.”

Here are three takeaways from the win:

1. Hertl’s return

Left wing Tomas Hertl played 18:26 in his first game back in San Jose since he was traded to the Knights in March.

Hertl, who played the first 11 seasons of his career with the Sharks, was greeted with a video tribute prior to the game and a rousing ovation from the fans.

“Definitely was a nice tribute. Nice from the fans,” Hertl said. “It was really weird, honestly. After 11 years, first time coming back, the feelings were mixed up. For so many years, fans would be cheering for you and guys always liked me. It was a little weird, but still happy for the two points.”

Hertl played on a line with center William Karlsson and right wing Keegan Kolesar for the second straight game. The Knights had a 14-10 edge in shot attempts and a 6-5 edge in scoring chances with the trio on the ice.

2. McNabb’s goal

McNabb scored on a move he’s used many times before. He pulled off a toe drag to beat San Jose goaltender Alexander Georgiev and get his second goal of the season.

“It was huge,” Hertl said of McNabb’s goal. “I don’t know how many times he’s already done this move. Maybe on the PlayStation he can start his own move. He doesn’t score many goals, but he’s such a big part of the team.”

3. Dorofeyev’s redemption

Dorofeyev, 24, had a tough day at the office most of Friday. He and Howden were on the ice for all three of San Jose’s goals.

They managed to turn things around in the third period. Dorofeyev took a feed from Howden, deked around Georgiev and scored his first goal since Nov. 27 in Colorado.

“I think he’s done a good job. Their line had a tough time with the plus-minus, but the strange goals … sometimes that gets in your head,” Cassidy said. “Good on Pav. I think the guys are very happy for him, and hopefully off he goes.”

Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.