Sharks 4, Flyers 2
SAN JOSE -- Joe Pavelski's tie-breaking goal at 13:45 of the third period enabled the San Jose Sharks to snap a four-game losing streak at home with a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.
Pavelski dropped to one knee to one-time a cross-ice feed from defenseman Justin Braun past Flyers goalie Steve Mason. Pavelski's second power-play goal of the period, and 20th of the season, came at 19:11 to add insurance.
The tie-breaking goal came off a rush, and just three seconds after the expiration of San Jose's fifth power play of the night. The Sharks converted two earlier man-advantage chances to spark the offense.
The Flyers took a 2-1 lead 4:19 into the third period on a breakaway goal by center Sean Couturier. Brent Burns and Philadelphia right winger Wayne Simmonds got tangled at the visitors' blue line, and the puck squirted off the San Jose defenseman's stick to a breaking Couturier.
Burns quickly atoned for his botched play with a power-play strike at 5:54. Center Logan Couture's no-look pass from beside the Flyers goal found Burns pinching just to the left of the slot. Burns' hard wrist shot beat Mason for his 15th goal of the season.
The Sharks finally broke a scoreless tie midway through the second period with a power-play strike. But the Flyers scored the equalizer in a strange manner as the game was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes.
San Jose center Joe Thornton scored his seventh goal of the season at 9:53 with a chip from the side of the net over Philadelphia goalie Steve Mason. The goal on the hosts' third power play of the game came 1:33 into defenseman Nick Schultz's hook of San Jose left wing Dainius Zubrus at 8:20.
The lead was San Jose's first on home ice since Nov. 28, covering a span of four games.
But the visitors struck at 15:49 when right winger Claude Giroux shot directly off a faceoff from the right circle to surprise goalie Martin Jones. The Sharks goalie couldn't corral the high shot by Giroux, and the puck slipped between Jones' upright pads and across the goal line.
Giroux, who scored his 12th goal of the season, beat Thornton on the draw.
The Sharks outshot the Flyers 9-3 during a scoreless opening period.
San Jose had a better of the scoring opportunities. Mason gloved a drive by Pavelski at 9:49 during even strength. And he was quick going post-to-post to deny right winger Joel Ward on San Jose's second failed power play of the period.
Philadelphia had only one shot from center until the final five minutes of the period, and failed to put any rubber on net during an early power play.
NOTES: Sharks C Logan Couture returned after missing seven games after undergoing emergency surgery to repair an arterial bleed in his right thigh. He appeared in only his sixth game as he missed 23 from Oct. 16-Dec. 5 after suffering a broken fibula early on. ... Philadelphia D Michael Del Zotto remains out and day-to-day with a wrist injury. D Mark Streit was activated off injured reserve. RW Sam Gagner was assigned to Philadelphia of the AHL after clearing waivers. ... The Sharks sent D Matt Tennyson to AHL affiliate San Jose on a conditioning assignment. ... Philadelphia winds up its three-game West Coast trip on Saturday in Los Angeles. ... San Jose continues its five-game homestand with a game on Saturday against Winnipeg. ... Philadelphia backup G Michal Neuvirth was ill and surrendered the starting assignment to G Steve Mason. ... C Ben Smith and RW Mike Brown were San Jose's healthy scratches while D Brandon Manning and C Vincent Lecavalier did not dress for Philadelphia.