Eichel's first Vegas goal leads Golden Knights past Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Jack Eichel scored his first goal since joining Vegas and the Golden Knights beat the San Jose Sharks for the 10th straight time with a 4-1 win Sunday night.

Eichel’s goal came in his third game back from artificial disk replacement surgery on his neck in November as he finished off a nifty give-and-go with Chandler Stephenson. It was his first goal since Jan. 28, 2021, with Buffalo.

“It’s obviously been a long time since I scored a goal, so it’s a good feeling,” Eichel said. “It’s just part of my game. Obviously, I want to try to chip in offensively, so it’s good to help contribute tonight.”

Vegas acquired Eichel in a deal with the Sabres on Nov. 4 and he underwent the surgery the following week. He began practicing with the Golden Knights last month and made his debut last Wednesday as a top-line center.

He has a goal and two assists in three games.

“I’m not surprised because he’s a special player,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “If he wasn’t such a special player, I think it probably would have taken longer. But he’s got such exceptional skill that I think it allows him to get back up to pace quicker.”

Eichel's goal helped snap Vegas' three-game winless streak and gave Logan Thompson the win in his second career start in goal. Thompson, who lost his first start last month against Nashville, made 35 saves.

Keegan Kolesar and Max Pacioretty also scored, and Stephenson added an empty-netter as the Golden Knights maintained their dominance of what once was a fierce rivalry. Eichel assisted on Pacioretty’s goal early in the second.

“We know he’s capable of doing offensively,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “Jack’s one of those players that when you watch him and he plays, he makes the people around