SAN JOSE – William Eklund took control of the puck inside the Sharks’ blue line and immediately started up the ice. Vegas Golden Knights defensemen Nicolas Hague and Zach Whitecloud collided as they started to backcheck in the neutral zone, setting up a two-on-zero for Eklund and Rudolfs Balcers.
Eklund passed to Balcers, who passed it back to Eklund for a tap-in goal past Knights goalie Robin Lehner.
If there was any doubt as to whether Eklund will be right back inside SAP Center on Oct. 16, wearing a Sharks uniform, it was erased Saturday.
Eklund was everywhere, making little plays away in the offensive and defensive zones, highlighted by his give-and-go with Balcers to help the Sharks earn a 4-0 win over Vegas in the preseason finale for both teams.
Jonathan Dahlen, Kevin Labanc and Brent Burns also scored and goalie Adin Hill finished with 25 saves as the Sharks closed the preseason with a 3-2-1 record.
Now the Sharks turn their attention to their regular-season opener next Saturday at home against the Winnipeg Jets. San Jose, which had 29 players in camp as of Saturday morning, has to get its roster down to 23 players by Monday at 2 p.m. (PT).
Here are the takeaways from Saturday night.
CLOSING ARGUMENT: There’s not much more Eklund could have done to prove that he belongs with the Sharks to start the season.
He finished the exhibition season with a team-high six points, including five assists. Just as important has been his work on every shift and away from the puck.
On one instance Saturday, he quietly helped set a pick to free up linemate Tomas Hertl for a shot on goal. On another, he created some space for himself in the defensive zone and got the puck to defenseman Mario Ferraro to help start a breakout.
Eklund, who also drew two penalties, figures to be one of five or perhaps six rookies to start the season with the Sharks. At the very least, he’ll get that nine-game audition that’s afforded players on entry-level contracts.
Before Eklund’s 10th game, the Sharks will have to decide whether to send him back to Sweden, assign him to the AHL or keep him on the roster and burn the first year of his entry-level.
If they’re serious about wanting to be a playoff team, the Sharks have to give Eklund a look in preseason games. Then they can go ahead and figure out what’s best for his long-term future.
FINAL TUNEUP: Hill didn’t have to be dazzling in net Saturday, just make the saves he is expected to make. He had to make just 15 saves in the first two periods, with only one coming on the power play.
It was an important night for Hill, at least from the standpoint that he’ll have to be ready to go in a week when he’ll likely get the nod to start against the Jets. He only played in one other preseason game, on Sept. 26 when he stopped 21 of 23 shots in the Sharks’ 4-2 win over Vegas at T-Mobile Arena.
FITTING IN: Saturday’s game wasn’t about deciding the winners of the final few roster spots that were available at the start of camp. It was more about getting a last look at which lines and defense pairs could establish some chemistry in the final dress rehearsal of the exhibition season.
From all indications, the Sharks will have rookie forwards Jasper Weatherby, Dahlen, Eklund, Lane Pederson, Jonah Gadjovich, and defenseman Santeri Hatakka next week.
Saturday, Dahlen started the game with Logan Couture and Timo Meier, and Eklund was with Hertl and Balcers. Weatherby and Pederson formed the fourth line with Andrew Cogliano.
Right now, Dahlen doesn’t look out of place. But more will be known about him when the physicality ramps up next week.
