The San Jose Sharks completed an unbelievable comeback during Tuesday night's decisive Game 7 against the Vegas Golden Knights, in a 5-4 overtime thriller, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and propelling themselves to the next round.
Most of the game was very nerve-racking, as the Knights jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period. The Sharks were scuffling throughout the first two periods, as Vegas added to their lead, heading into the final period up 2-0.
After adding an early goal in the third, the Golden Knights looked firmly secure to win and move on to the second round. At least until the 9:13 mark in the final period, when Vegas' Cody Eakin received a 5-minute major penalty for cross-checking. During the penalty, San Jose's captain, Joe Pavelski, was on the receiving end of the dirty hit, sending him to the ice, knocked out and bloody, after his head slammed violently against the unforgiving surface.
Pavelski was helped to the locker room, and his team would rally.
During their power play, the Sharks would go on to score four goals in 4:01 during the power play–just the second time a team has scored as many goals in a playoff game through one major power play. Logan Couture scored a pair, Tomas Hertl tied the game, and Kevin Labanc knocked in the tie-breaking score.
With less than a minute remaining, Vegas rallied to tie it at 4-4, forcing the epic game into overtime.
During the overtime period, fourth-liner Barclay Goodrow wove his way in front of Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and banged the series clinching goal past the veteran. The fans at SAP Center lost it, as their team became just the second to overcome a three-goal third period deficit in a Game 7 and win.
We think you should update your phone background. #WallpaperWednesday pic.twitter.com/TTlrinlZlj
— x - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 24, 2019
Still feeling those good(row) vibes from last night. #PlayoffMode pic.twitter.com/ASj0gcON2s
— x - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 24, 2019
After a hard-fought series, San Jose now moves forward to face the Colorado Avalanche. Game 1 will be played in San Jose on Friday.