Sharks 2, Panthers 1 (SO)
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Right winger Joe Pavelski scored the winning goal in a shootout as the San Jose Sharks rallied to defeat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Thursday at the BB&T Center.
Sharks goaltender Martin Jones continued his excellent play of late and allowed only one of three goals in the shootout. He is 12-2-1 in his past 15 starts.
Florida, which leads the NHL with a 6-2 record in shootouts, had won six straight in the bonus format.
The Sharks (31-20-5) fell behind 1-0 with 17:37 left in the third period when Panthers right winger Jaromir Jagr scored career goal No. 740. Jagr, 44, is one goal behind Brett Hull for third place on the NHL scoring list.
San Jose tied the score on a goal by center Logan Couture that tied the score 1-1 with 11:04 left in the third period. It was Couture's sixth goal of the season, and he was set up by center Joe Thornton, whose pass from behind the Panthers net resulted in his 39th assist of the season.
The Sharks, one of the top four road teams in the NHL, improved to 20-8-2 away from home.
For Jagr, it was his 18th goal of the season, exceeding last season's total. Most of the work was done by Panthers center Vincent Trocheck, who weaved through traffic to get off a dangerous shot. Jagr had his stick on the ice and quickly pounced on the loose puck.
Panthers backup goalie Al Montoya, who beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in a shootout Monday, had another strong game. He has allowed two goals or fewer in 12 of his 15 starts this season.
This was the first time this season that Montoya has started consecutive games.
Still, San Jose defeated Montoya for the second time this season. The Sharks beat him 5-2 at San Jose in November.
Florida (33-18-7) still leads in the Atlantic Division.
Both teams played tight defense all night. Florida had 11 of the 18 shots taken in the scoreless first period. The Sharks killed off the period's only penalty, an interference call on left winger Patrick Marleau.
San Jose went 0 for 3 on the power play in the second period and also failed on a man advantage in overtime.
NOTES: With a 2.29 goals-against average, Panthers G Roberto Luongo is on pace to tie John Vanbiesbrouck for the Florida single-season record in that category. However, Luongo has allowed 18 goals in his past five games and was rested again on Thursday as G Al Montoya made his second straight start. ... Panthers C Aleksander Barkov (concussion) and D Erik Gudbranson (shoulder) are targeting the Arizona Coyotes game on Feb. 25 as their possible return to the ice. ... Florida scratched C Quinton Howden (concussion) and C Dave Bolland (ankle). ... Sharks coach Peter DeBoer directed the Panthers from 2008-11. ... San Jose scratched D Mirco Mueller, RW Mike Brown and D Brendon Dillon.