*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
Patrick Marleau has eclipsed hockey's highest mountain. He has passed the Gordie Howe record for the most regular season games played in NHL history. However, he could not get a win on the same night. Mark Stone scored twice, Alex Tuch added the shootout winner, and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the San Jose Sharks with a 3-2 win Monday night.
In the first period, Nikolai Knyzhov started the scoring for the Sharks with his second goal of the season to make it 1-0 Sharks. In the second period, a quick goal by Noah Gregor made it 2-0 Sharks, but Stone answered for the Golden Knights to make it 2-1 after one period. In the 3rd, Stone scored again to make it a 2-2 game, which lasted until the shootout. Tuch was the only player to score for either team in the shootout, giving Vegas the win.
Marleau said of playing the most regular season games in NHL history that "I think it's very meaningful. It's huge, having played most of my games here in San Jose, being drafted by them. It's been a great organization for me and my family. My family's grown up being part of it. it's the right thing that happened, being in a Sharks uniform."
Robin Lehner got the win for the Golden Knights, stopping 29 out of 31 shots he faced to get the victory. Lehner has had a dominant season for the Golden Knights, with his record increasing to 11-1-2 this season, while the Golden Knights are first in the West Division, with a 32-11-2 record this season.
Golden Knights coach Pete Deboer, who coached Marleau in San Jose, said of his accomplishment that it was a "Great night for Patrick Marleau and his family. Happy I had a front-row seat for it, happy that we won. We won the game and got to be a part of history. Not too many ovations in this building for the Sharks over my years. It just tells you the gravity of the accomplishment."
Martin Jones was the tough luck loser for the Sharks in net, stopping 38 of 40 shots during the game, and one of two in the shootout. Jones saw his record drop to 15-12-3 with the defeat, continuing his roller coaster season. The Sharks remain in 6th in the West, with a 18-22-5 record.
Sharks coach Bob Boughner said of honoring Marleau that "I was extremely pleased. We know this was the hottest team in the League. There was a lot of emotion in this game and a lot on the line. We wanted to make sure we honored Patty the best way we could. That was by playing hard as a team."
The Sharks and Golden Knights square off again Wednesday night, with Jones expected to start for the Sharks, and Marc-Andre Fleury going for Vegas.
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