The Pacific Division rivalry reignites under the SAP Center lights as the Vegas Golden Knights roll into San Jose for a Thursday night showdown against the Sharks (10:00 PM ET). This early-season clash carries extra weight—both teams will be hungry to establish momentum in a division where every point could prove pivotal come spring. Vegas, fresh off a summer of roster tweaks, will look to assert their physicality against a Sharks squad that’s always dangerous on home ice, especially when the puck drops late under the California stars.

Expect a battle of contrasting styles: the Golden Knights’ structured, defense-first approach colliding with San Jose’s speed and transition game. With both teams eager to silence doubts and stake their claim in the West, this matchup could set the tone for their season series. The energy will be electric—will Vegas’ veteran core outmuscle the Sharks’ youthful energy, or will San Jose’s home crowd fuel an upset? One thing’s certain: this won’t be just another October game.