SAN JOSE – The Florida Panthers blew a 2-0 lead on Thursday night but rallied with a late goal to tie their game with the Sharks, and then win it, 4-3, on skills.
Aleksander Barkov and Radko Gudas scored in the first and second periods for a 2-0 lead headed to the third.
Aleksander Barkov (16) fires a shot past sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) and diving goalie James Reimer for a first period goal – Photo by Jack Lima
Barkov’s goal came at the end of a five-minute major penalty.
“Any time you get a five-minute major, that really skews the period,” Sharks coach David Quinn said.
The Sharks rallied with three straight goal for a 3-2 advantage.
“We’ve had so many games this year where I felt we just dominated the games and couldn’t find a way to put one in,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “We were due for something good like this.”
Florida’s Carter Verhaeghe tied the game to force extra time with 82 second left in the third.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 36 saves in the Panthers win.
Florida improved to 6-4-1.
San Jose rallied in the third off strikes from Erik Karlsson, Timo Meier, and Matt Benning.
“It’s unfortunate they ended up tying it up on a perfect shot,” Karlsson said. “But that’s the way that goes sometimes. It’s another tough loss for us. But I think that we showed a few things that we haven’t before.”
San Jose dropped to 3-8-2.
Meier’s goal came on a 5-on3 power play.
“We got the 5-on-3 early and capitalized on it and got some momentum,” Karlsson said. “I think we did a great job of generating chances and playing to tie up the game, which we did, and we kept going.”
Sam Reinhart was credited with the deciding goal in the skills portion of the evening’s affair.
“I think we slowed our game down,” Reinhart said. “A little bit too much standing around watching, and they swarmed us.”
James Reimer made 41 saves in the loss.
“I think we’ve made strides, and we’re scoring more goals, for sure,” Quinn said. “We’re playing better hockey, obviously. We’ve got to cut down on the goals we’re giving up, but I do like the fact that we are scoring more goals.”
Photos by Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Tomas Hertl (48) moves the puck up ice as Nick Cousins (21) defends – Photo by Jack Lima
Timo Meier (28) attempts a pass, as Panthers’ defenseman Matt Kiersted (Right) attempts to break up the play – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie James Reimer (47) swats away a rebound as defenseman Jaycob Megna (24) looks to help – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie James Reimer (47) stops a shot as Carter Verhaeghe (23) looks for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) moves the puck away from Eetu Luostarinen (27) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) ties up Radko Gudas (7) as goalie James Reimer makes a save – Photo by Jack Lima
Ryan Lomberg enters the ice before warmups – Photo by Jack Lima
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky – Photo by Jack Lima
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stops a shot by Nico Sturm (7) – Photo by Jack Lima
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stops a breakaway shot attempt by Steven Lorentz (16) late in the 3rd period – Photo by Jack Lima
Panthers’ forward Matthew Tkachuk – Photo by Jack Lima
Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Matt Nieto (83) battle for position – Photo by Jack Lima
Florida Panthers players wait to enter the ice – Photo by Jack Lima
Erik Karlsson (Right) celebrates his 3rd period game tying goal with Jaycob Megna (24) – Photo by Jack Lima
Eetu Luostarinen (23) and Steven Lorentz (16) fight for the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Alexander Barabanov attempts to control a loose puck – Photo by Jack Lima
Aleksander Barkov (16) fires a shot past sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) and diving goalie James Reimer for a first period goal – Photo by Jack Lima
You must be logged in to post a comment.