Panthers 2, Penguins 1 (SO)
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Left winger Jussi Jokinen had the winning goal in a shootout and backup goalie Al Montoya made 31 saves as the Florida Panthers snapped a two-game losing streak, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Monday night at the BB&T Center.
Montoya stopped four of five shots in the shootout.
Florida, which has been excellent defensively overall this season, had allowed three or more goals in six straight games before getting back to its game on Monday.
Montoya came within less than four minutes of what would have been his first shutout in his two years with the Panthers, encompassing 25 starts. But Pittsburgh left winger Chris Kunitz scored the game-tying goal with just 3:19 left in the third period to send the game into overtime.
Pittsburgh went 0-for-2 on its power play. Florida went 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
The Panthers (33-18-6), who lead the second-place Detroit Red Wings by five points in the Atlantic Division, got a first-period goal from center Nick Bjugstad.
Bjugstad also had the other Panthers goal in the shootout.
Panthers right winger Jaromir Jagr, playing against the team that drafted him, celebrated his 44th birthday with a win but did not get any points. Jagr won two Stanley Cup titles with the Penguins -- 1991 and 1992.
Pittsburgh (28-19-8) suffered just its third loss in the past 10 games. The Panthers are not yet in playoff position, ranking fifth in the Metropolitan Division, one point behind the fourth-place New Jersey Devils.
Penguins center Sidney Crosby got an assist on Kunitz's goal and continued his amazing run. Crosby has 35 points in his past 23 games. Crosby also had Pittsburgh's only goal in the shootout.
Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (27 saves) took the hard-luck loss.
Bjugstad's goal came with 12:30 left in the first period. Set up below the left circle, Bjugstad took an excellent cross-ice pass from defenseman Alex Petrovic and beat Fleury to the short side.
Kunitz tied the score 1-1 late in the third period, beating Montoya with a high shot from the right circle.
NOTES: Florida rested All-Star G Roberto Luongo, who has allowed 18 goals in his past five games. ... The Penguins are without three of their top four centers: Evgeni Malkin (lower body, out since Feb. 2), Eric Fehr (lower body, since Feb. 3) and Nick Bonino (hand, Jan. 12). ... Pittsburgh scratched D Ian Cole and LW Sergei Plotnikov. ... Florida recalled C Greg McKegg, 23, from Portland of the AHL and inserted him in its lineup. He is the ninth Portland player to play for the Panthers this season, including four who have made their NHL debuts: C John McFarland, D Brent Regner, RW Logan Shaw and LW Connor Brickley. ... Florida has six players on its injured list: C Quinton Howden (possible concussion); C Dave Bolland (ankle); C Brandon Pirri (ankle); C Aleksander Barkov (concussion); D Willie Mitchell (lower body); D Erik Gudbranson (shoulder). ... Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez dropped the ceremonial first puck.