Pavelski Gets Winner In Shootout, Sharks Beat Panthers 2-1
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) - These days, the more time the Sharks spend away from San Jose, the better.
Joe Pavelski scored the winning goal in the shootout and the Sharks beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.
The Sharks also won their third straight road game and improved their away record to 20-8-2. San Jose's road play has helped it stay competitive in the Pacific Division despite an 11-12-3 home record.
"No doubt, (on) the road, we're just committed to a pretty disciplined game," Pavelski said.
Both teams locked down defensively late. The teams totaled just four shots on goal in the third period, with Logan Couture scoring on the Sharks' lone shot. Martin Jones made 11 of his 20 saves in the first period and stopped Jussi Jokinen in the third round of the shootout to seal it.
"We stuck with it and found a way, which is what we've been doing lately," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said.
Joonas Donskoi also scored in the shootout for the Sharks. Nick Bjugstad had a shootout goal for Florida.
Jaromir Jagr scored for the Panthers. Al Montoya made 16 saves in his first back-to-back start of the season.
Montoya made three saves in overtime, and the Panthers survived a power play for the final 1:28 to take the game to the shootout.
"I?would have loved to have won the game in overtime or the shootout, but we get a big point tonight," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said.
Couture's goal tied it 8:56 into the third. Joe Thornton passed from behind the net to Couture in the slot, and his shot beat Montoya.
"It was one of those games where we really didn't have our legs," Couture said. "We weren't nearly at our best, so it was nice to find a way to win."
The Panthers remain five points ahead of the Bruins in the Atlantic Division - Boston lost 2-0 to Nashville on Thursday night.
"Huge point for us. We'll take it and move forward," Montoya said.
Jagr gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 2:23 of the third. Vincent Trocheck took a shot and Jagr grabbed the rebound in the right circle and put the puck between Jones' pads.
The goal was Jagr's 740th, putting him one behind Brett Hull for third place on the career NHL scoring list. Jagr turned 44 years old last Monday and is only the second forward to score a goal after turning 44. The first was Gordie Howe.
NOTES: Panthers C Brandon Pirri was placed on injured reserve Thursday with an ankle injury. ... Sharks C Tommy Wingels left the game in the first period with an unspecified injury and did not return. "We'll have more tomorrow but he's probably out for a little while," DeBoer said after the game.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
