The set-up: The Western Conference semifinal between the Vegas Golden Knights and the San Jose Sharks began with a Vegas 7-0 beatdown in Game 1. However, the Sharks have won two of three since, with their decisive 4-0 victory on Wednesday tying the series at two apiece. San Jose head coach Peter DeBoer lamented the fact that his team had been continually playing from behind and "chasing the game the whole series," but the Sharks struck twice in the opening period of Game 4 and never looked back. The Golden Knights lost for only the second time in eight postseason games on Wednesday and were blanked for the first time since Feb. 19. The teams now back to Las Vegas with the series narrowed to a best-of-three, with two of those (if necessary) to be held at raucous T-Mobile Arena.

San Jose: There had been speculation that veteran center Joe Thornton would play for the first time since Jan. 23 due to the uncertain status of Joonas Donskoi, who returned from a one-game absence and supplied a back-breaking goal in the final seconds of the opening period. Fourth-line forward Marcus Sorensen registered only five goals in 32 regular-season games but opened the scoring Wednesday and is tied for second on the team with four goals in eight playoff contests. "All four lines played really good," said Tomas Hertl, who netted his team-leading fifth goal of the postseason. "Everyone is scoring, not just one line." San Jose has scored 10 power-play goals in eight postseason games and Hertl has scored a goal in five of the last seven playoff games.

Vegas: The Golden Knights' No. 1 line of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith was finally shut down in Game 4, combining for 11 shots on net after amassing 19 points through the first three meetings. Howeveer, Vegas feels confident that trio will be just fine in Game 5. The same can be said for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Yes, San Jose has pierced the Golden Knights for 11 goals in the last three games but the team has few concerns over the play of Fleury, who notched three shutouts in the first five games of the playoffs.

The pick: The expansion Vegas Golden Knights swept their first-ever playoff series with the Los Angeles Kings, then opened the second round of the Western Conference playoffs with a stunningly lopsided 7-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks. However, the Sharks won Game 2 in double overtime 4-3, and bounced back from a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 3 to blank the Golden Knights 4-0 on Wednesday night to even the best-of-seven-series at 2-2. "Nobody thought it was going to be an easy series either," Vegas netminder Marc-Andre Fleury said. "We're in good shape 2-2, going home and obviously it (stinks) to lose this one. ... Put it behind and get ready for the next one." The fact is, Vegas is 32-11-2 on its home ice this season and I'll make them an 8* play in this critical Game 5.