Panthers 2, Canucks 1
Marcel Goc scored a power-play goal to snap a tie midway through the second period and Scott Clemmensen turned aside 25 shots as the Florida Panthers skated to a 2-1 home triumph over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.
With Vancouver's loss, San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan earned a spot behind the bench at the NHL's All-Star Game based on his team's points percentage. Alain Vigneault would have received the honor had the Canucks won on Monday.
Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov netted his fourth goal of the campaign - and first since Dec. 5 - for Southeast Division-leading Florida, which posted just its third win in nine games (3-4-2).
After fourth-liner Dale Weise gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead just 3:11 into the first period, Kulikov leveled the contest exactly five minutes into the second. Goc's shot was denied by Roberto Luongo, but Kulikov slapped home the rebound from the left faceoff circle.
Goc then gave Florida the lead at 10:52 of the session. After Weise was whistled for a holding penalty, the Panthers turned up the intensity during their second power-play attempt of the evening and Goc capitalized after a scramble in front.
Luongo finished with 20 saves to fall to 3-1-1 against the Panthers since fleeing from Florida in 2006.