The Florida Panthers finished a short two-game homestand with a 3-0 shutout loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at BB&T Center. The Panthers had a four-game win streak against the Sharks broken. It was their first meeting between both clubs since December 3, 2011.
San Jose(30-12-6), who averaged 35 shots per game this season, had a 21-8 edge in shots in the first period as neither team scored. It tied a Florida(18-22-7) season record which they allowed 21 shots in the first period at home in a game against Winnipeg on December 3.
After 39 minutes of play, the scoreless tie was broken by a Sharks goal. Joe Thornton received the puck off the boards at center ice from Brent Burns and skated in alone on a breakaway. He lifted a shot from the top of the crease over the left shoulder of Tim Thomas with 50.2 seconds left in the second. He snapped a 20-game goal slump with that tally.
It was a hectic pace to begin the third period. Tyler Kennedy raced in through the right circle and attempted a backhand shot in the crease which was poked away by Thomas. Matt Nieto was there to put in the loose puck from the left circle for a Sharks 2-0 at 4:44.
The Sharks extended their lead to 3-0 with 8:14 to go in the third. Brad Stuart took a slapshot from the left point and it was deflected by Burns in the left circle. Joe Pavelski got to the puck and snapped a shot in from the low slot for his 22nd goal of the season.
Thomas kept his team in the game as he made 36 saves in the defeat and fell to 12-12-3. Alex Stalock picked up his first career NHL shutout with 24 saves and improved to 6-2-0. The Sharks were 0-for-4 on the man advantage while the Cats went 0-for-3 on the power play and now have not scored on 25 consecutive chances.
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