SAN JOSE – Alex Nedeljkovic was enjoying a stellar debut with the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night before everything fell apart late in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center.
The Sharks led 3-2 late in the third period when William Eklund missed a wraparound chance to score on an empty net. Just seconds later, a flip shot on net by Jack Eichel bounced in front of goalie Alex Nedeljkovic and into the net to tie the game with 1:34 left in regulation time.
Reilly Smith scored at the 1:24 mark of overtime off a puckhandling error by Nedeljkovic, as the Sharks lost a season opener for the fourth straight year.
Philipp Kurashev put the Sharks ahead at the 2:59 mark of the third period.
With the Sharks pressuring inside the Golden Knights’ zone, defenseman Dmitry Orlov let a shot go from just inside the blue line that Kurashev was able to redirect past Vegas goalie Akira Schmid for a 3-2 San Jose lead.
Jeff Skinner scored a first-period goal at even strength, and Alexander Wennberg added a power-play goal during a two-man advantage in the second period.
unbelievable. Alex Nedeljkovic has had a nightmare finish. pic.twitter.com/RqACtJFNsA
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) October 10, 2025
Nedeljkovic, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in July, made 27 saves.
The Sharks had several new players in Thursday’s lineup. Besides free agent signings Skinner, Orlov, and Kurashev, the Sharks also dressed defenseman John Klingberg and Nick Leddy, and forwards Adam Gaudette and Ryan Reaves.
Klingberg assisted on Wennberg’s goal at the 6:59 mark of the second period, and formed the Sharks’ top defense pair with Leddy. Gaudette and Reaves, along with Barclay Goodrow, formed the fourth line.
The Sharks’ season-opening homestand continues with games against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday and the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.