Sharks goalie exits game vs. Golden Knights with lower body injury

NHL: James Reimer, the San Jose Sharks’ MVP since the all-star break, left Tuesday’s game with the Vegas Golden Knights

Goalie James Reimer, who has been the Sharks’ best player since the NHL all-star break, left Tuesday’s game with the Vegas Golden Knight after the first period.

The Sharks announced before the start of the second period that Reimer had a lower-body injury and would not return. Zach Sawchenko, who has appeared in two other Sharks games this year, came on in relief.

Reimer was making his 13th straight start Tuesday as Adin Hill has been bothered by his own lower-body injury since late January. In February, Reimer played nearly every minute of all eight Sharks games and finished with a 2-3-3 record despite getting just 17 goals in support.

Reimer entered Tuesday with a 15-12-5 record, a 2.84 goals-against average and .916 save percentage.

The Sharks trailed 1-0 after the first period at T-Mobile Arena as they gave up the first goal for the ninth time in the last 10 games.

With the puck in the Golden Knights’ zone, defenseman Jake Middleton attempted a pinch to help the Sharks maintain possession. Instead, Vegas created a 2-on-1 the other way, with Keegan Kolesar one-timing a pass from Brett Howden past Reimer for a 1-0 Golden Knights lead.

Otherwise, Reimer was brilliant in the first 20 minutes, making 10 saves to keep the Sharks in the game. He stopped a point chance and a Zach Whitecloud and a breakaway try by Jonathan Marchessault, both coming off defensive breakdowns.

Noah Gregor tied the game for the Sharks, burying a pass from Nick Bonino at the 1:53 mark of the second period for his third goal of the season.

Sawchenko stopped nine of 10 shots in the second period, as Reilly Smith scored his 15th of the season at the 13:56 for a 2-1 Golden Knights lead.

Sawchenko’s two other appearances came on Jan. 2 against Pittsburgh and Feb. 14 against  Edmonton. In the two games, he made 22 of 23 saves in 48:43 of ice time.