Jack Eichel and William Eklund headline the marquee talent when the Vegas Golden Knights square off against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 10 p.m. ET.
Vegas rolls into this matchup eager to shake off a wild season opener that saw them fall 6-5 in a shootout to the Los Angeles Kings, starting the campaign at 0-0-1. After this stop in San Jose, the Golden Knights will stay on the road for another test against the Seattle Kraken.
As for San Jose, the Sharks enter the new season simply hoping to turn the tide after enduring a brutal 20-50-12 finish last year, which left them dead last in the league and out of the playoff picture for the sixth consecutive season. The fanbase is desperate for signs of life, and this game will be their first chance to show they’re headed in a better direction.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks NHL game, plus plenty more.
Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks: Date and puck-drop time
Vegas Golden Knights will take on San Jose Sharks in a highly anticipated NHL game on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 10:00 pm ET or 7:00 pm PT at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, California.
| Date | Thursday, October 9, 2025 |
| Puck-Drop Time | 10:00 pm ET or 7:00 pm PT |
| Venue | SAP Center at San Jose |
| Location | San Jose, California |
How to watch Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks on TV & stream live online
National TV channel: ESPN Select
Streaming service: ESPN+
The Vegas Golden Knights vs the San Jose Sharks NHL game will be available to stream live on ESPN Select.
If you don't have cable TV, the best way to watch almost every NHL playoff game online is with Fubo, which offers a free-trial to new subscribers so you can try before you buy!
Streaming the game with a VPN
Unable to watch this game due to broadcast restrictions? A VPN could be the answer to your problems.
You can watch the game from wherever you are in the world by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service such as Express VPN. A VPN will allow you to create a secure connection online when you are abroad on holiday or for work, and you want to stream the game live. You can eventry ExpressVPN risk-freewith a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you are not sure which VPN to use or how to use a VPN, we have taken a look at the best options available out there for watching live sports - check out the best VPN services review here.
Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks team news
Vegas Golden Knights team news
Vegas made a splash over the summer with a high-profile trade, landing 28-year-old winger Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Nicolas Roy. Marner has cemented himself as one of the elite playmakers in the league, racking up an impressive 102 points last season with 27 goals and 75 assists.
Between the pipes, the Golden Knights will once again rely on Adin Hill to anchor the crease. The 29-year-old netminder was rock solid in 2024-25, finishing the campaign with a 32-13-5 record, a 2.47 goals-against average, four shutouts, and a .906 save percentage. Akira Schmid slots in as the backup option.
San Jose Sharks team news
San Jose, meanwhile, went through a significant roster shake-up of their own. The Sharks parted ways with blue-liners Jan Rutta, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Henry Thrun, bringing in John Klingberg, Cole Clayton, and Nick Leddy to overhaul their defensive core.
Up front, they welcomed a wave of new forwards in Jeff Skinner, Adam Gaudette, Philipp Kurashev, and Oskar Olausson. Despite all the movement, the top line remains intact, and 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini will look to build off his strong rookie showing where he tallied 25 goals and 38 assists.
In goal, Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic are expected to split duties. Askarov enters the year with a chance to prove he belongs among the league’s rising stars after a 4-6-2 stint with a 3.10 GAA and .896 save percentage last season. Nedeljkovic arrives from Pittsburgh, where he went 14-15-5 with a 3.12 GAA and a .894 save percentage.
Vegas Golden Knights vs San Jose Sharks head-to-head record
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Away Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04.10.25 | NHL | Vegas Golden Knights | San Jose Sharks | 1 - 4 |
| 27.09.25 | NHL | San Jose Sharks | Vegas Golden Knights | 1 - 2 |
| 22.09.25 | NHL | San Jose Sharks | Vegas Golden Knights | 3 - 0 |
| 08.01.25 | NHL | San Jose Sharks | Vegas Golden Knights | 2 - 4 |
| 28.12.24 | NHL | San Jose Sharks | Vegas Golden Knights | 3 - 6 |