Sharks 4, Devils 3 (SO)
Ryan Clowe scored once in regulation and added the winner in the shootout as the San Jose Sharks celebrated Joe Thornton's 1,000th career game with a 4-3 win over the host New Jersey Devils on Friday.
After New Jersey's Ilya Kovalchuk and San Jose's Michal Handzus traded goals in the first two rounds of the extra session, Patrick Elias was stopped by Sharks netminder Antti Niemi and Clowe slapped a low backhander past the outstretched glove of New Jersey netminder Johan Hedberg.
Thornton had a goal and an assist while becoming the 266th
member of the 1,000-game club. He reached the milestone one day after
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Hal Gill played in his 1,000th game.
After squandering a 2-0 lead in the second period, the Devils went back in front at 13:18 of the third. Mattias Tedenby's centering pass found David Clarkson, who moved the puck from backhand to forehand before sliding it underneath Niemi.
San Jose forced extra time with 32 seconds left in regulation following extended pressure in the New Jersey zone. A Bryce Salvador turnover led to Thornton centering the puck off the
side of the net to Joe Pavelski, whose snap shot found the top right corner
of the net.
Zach Parise scored on a penalty shot while Elias had the other regulation goal for the Devils, who lost forward Jacob Josefsen to a broken right clavicle in the first period.