SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks hope their days as being one of the NHL’s cellar-dwellers are now in the rear-view mirror.

To have that happen, there’s no question that goalie Yaroslav Askarov will need to do his part.

Askarov, who projects to be the Sharks’ starting goalie for their regular season opener on Oct. 9, made his preseason debut for the Sharks on Friday night and made 27 saves in a 2-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center.

Askarov allowed an even-strength goal to Golden Knights forward Cole Schwindt at the 8:15 mark of the second period and a power-play goal to Lukas Cormier at the 5:12 mark of the third, but was otherwise solid in his first official tune-up for the regular season.

Defenseman Dmitry Orlov scored the Sharks’ lone goal at the 4:48 mark of the second

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