Eklund shines, Dahlen fits in and Hill tunes up
SAN JOSE >> William Eklund took control of the puck inside the Sharks’ blue line and immediately started up the ice. Vegas Golden Knights defensemen Nicolas Hague and Zach Whitecloud collided as they started to backcheck in the neutral zone, setting up a two-on-none for Eklund and Rudolfs Balcers.
Eklund passed to Balcers, who passed it back to Eklund for a tap-in goal past Knights goalie Robin Lehner.
If there was any doubt as to whether Eklund will be right back inside SAP Center on Oct. 16, wearing a Sharks uniform, it was erased Saturday.
Eklund was everywhere, making little plays away in the offensive and defensive zones, highlighted by his give-and-go with Balcers to help the Sharks earn a 4-0 win over Vegas in the preseason finale for both teams.
“I thought he was great again,” Sharks coach Bob
Boughner said. “Not just the goal, but I thought he did a lot of great things. He looks good out there. He’s adjusting every day.”
Jonathan Dahlen, Kevin Labanc, and Brent Burns also scored and goalie Adin Hill finished with 25 saves as the Sharks closed the preseason with a 3-2-1 record.
Now the Sharks turn their attention to their regular-season opener next Saturday at home against the Winnipeg Jets. San Jose, which had 29 players in camp as of Saturday morning, has to get its roster down to 23 players by Monday at 2 p.m. (PT).
Here are the takeaways from Saturday night. CLOSING ARGUMENT >> There’s not much more Eklund, who will turn 19 on Tuesday, could have done to prove that he belongs with the Sharks to start the season.
He finished the exhibition season with a teamhigh six points, including five assists. Just as important has been his work on every shift and away from the puck.