(Associated Press Photo)
William Karlsson and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights proved they can handle some adversity just as well as they can thrive as front-runners like they did most of their inaugural season.
The Golden Knights bounced back after allowing a late tying goal in regulation when Karlsson scored 8:17 into overtime to lead Vegas to a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday night and a 2-1 series lead.
“I think it’s good for the morale,” Karlsson said. “We showed great attitude. Again, they came back. It was tough, too, but we gave someone a chance to be an overtime hero.”
Karlsson was that hero — just as he has been so much this season. He scored 43 goals in the regular season and has added three more this series, but none was bigger than the wrist shot in transition that beat Martin Jones high to the stick side, sending the Golden Knights into a wild celebration around the player knows as Wild Bill.
It was an impressive bounce back from their first loss of the playoffs in double overtime at home in Game 2 and wouldn’t have been possible without Marc-Andre Fleury, who made 39 saves to hold off an early push by the Sharks and then robbed Logan Couture with a glove save in overtime.
“I was looking at the guy with puck. I just tried to follow the pass and get out there a bit and I had a little time to react on it,” Fleury said. “It was a good feeling.”
The Sharks rallied to tie the game and force a second straight overtime with two goals in the third period. Evander Kane scored just seconds after the end of a power play midway through the third to set the stage for Hertl.
Hertl drove to the net with a strong power move. With the Sharks swarming in front of Fleury, Hertl whacked at a loose puck and knocked it in for the equalizer with 1:57 to go, sending the towel-waving crowd into a frenzy.
“I believe our game’s there and I think everyone in here would tell you that,” captain Joe Pavelski said. “We got caught on the wrong end of it tonight. We had a big one the other night.”
GIANTS WALK-OFF
After sitting on the bench all night, Giants backup catcher Nick Hundley took one look at the lineup card in the ninth inning and figured he might get a chance to hit.
His calculations were spot-on.
Hundley lined a two-run single off San Diego Padres closer Brad Hand with two outs to give San Francisco a 6-5 comeback victory Monday.
“Just quick University of Arizona math on my part,” Hundley said. “I knew that if I come up, I’m coming up with two outs and bases loaded if the game’s not tied. That was my mindset from the first pitch of the inning, to get ready for a two-out, bases-loaded situation. It came to fruition and thankfully we got it done.”
The Giants, who scored in only the first and the ninth, trailed 5-3 before rallying for their third straight win and seventh in nine games.
Pinch-hitter Austin Slater was hit by Hand’s first pitch in the ninth. After Gorkys Hernandez and Andrew McCutchen struck out, Buster Posey walked. Evan Longoria followed with an RBI single that fell between shortstop Freddy Galvis and left fielder Franchy Cordero before Hand (1-3) walked Brandon Belt to load the bases.
Hundley took a ball, then laced the game-winning hit into left-center. Posey and Longoria scored easily as the rest of the Giants rushed out of the dugout to celebrate.
“It does great things for the morale of the team to come back,” San Francisco starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija said. “When you’re in those situations you know you can do it again. It’s just great to see the guys fight all game and not quit.”
Hand blamed trouble locating his slider.
“I was getting behind in quite a few counts,” he said. “I just didn’t shut them down. I didn’t have it today.”
Pierce Johnson (1-1) retired three batters for the win.
McCutchen and Longoria each had two hits and an RBI for San Francisco. Posey and Austin Jackson also drove in runs.
The Giants improved to 6-2 on their 10-game homestand.
