Vatrano's Big Night Helps Panthers Crush San Jose For Third Straight Win
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SUNRISE (CBSMiami/AP) — The newest addition to the Florida Panthers' top line has been reaping the benefits.
Frank Vatrano had a goal and three assists for a career-high four points to lift the Florida Panthers over the San Jose Sharks 6-2 on Monday night.
Vincent Trocheck, Keith Yandle and Nick Bjugstad each had a power-play goal for the Panthers. Mike Matheson and Aaron Ekblad also scored, Roberto Luongo stopped 27 shots and Aleksander Barkov added three assists.
The Panthers have won three straight after losing their previous seven games.
Vatrano has accumulated nine points (5 goals, 4 assists) over his last seven games.
Timo Meier and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks. Martin Jones allowed five goals on 21 shots before being replaced by Aaron Dell with 12:38 left in the third period. Dell made eight saves.
After the game was tied at 2, the Panthers scored two power-play goals in nine seconds during the third period. Evander Kane received a double-minor for high-sticking against Bjugstad, and the Panthers made the most of the opportunity.
Yandle gave Florida a 3-2 lead when his wrist shot from the left corner went high into the net at 2:27. Trocheck's shot from the slot put the Panthers up 4-2 at 2:36.
Vatrano's backhand stretched the margin to 5-2 at 7:22 and chased Jones. Bjugstad added a power-play goal with 37.7 seconds left
Florida took a 2-1 lead when Matheson's one-timer from the right circle beat Jones at 6:07 of the second.
San Jose tied it on a disputed goal by Meier with 6:40 left in the period. Meier appeared to have pushed the puck into the net by hitting Luongo's glove and pad with his stick. The play was initially ruled no goal, then changed after the referees conferred. The Panthers challenged for goalie interference, but the goal stood following a replay review.
The Sharks tied it 1-all on Couture's goal. Brent Burns took a shot from the point and Couture tipped the puck and it trickled between Luongo's pads at 4:21 of the second.
Florida opened the scoring when Barkov passed to Ekblad in the slot and his shot went over Jones' stick with 2:39 left in the first.
NOTES: Sharks D Erik Karlsson missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury. ... D Marc-Edouard Vlasic took part in the morning skate but missed his ninth consecutive game with a wrist injury. ... Trocheck has four points (two goals, two assists) in three games since missing 27 because of a broken right ankle.
UP NEXT
Sharks: Visit the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
Panthers: Host the Nashville Predators on Feb. 1.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
