Sharks lose to Panthers 3-2 in shootout (w/video)

SAN JOSE - Nick Bjugstad scored twice during regulation and added the winning goal in the shootout as the Florida Panthers won their fourth straight in San Jose, beating the Sharks 3-2 on Thursday night.

San Jose’s Patrick Marleau tied it with 33 seconds remaining in regulation, taking a pass from Joe Thornton and firing it past Roberto Luongo, who had stopped Marleau’s penalty shot earlier in the third period.

Luongo stopped 28 shots and won for the fourth time in his last five games against the Sharks.

The Panthers swept the season series.

Logan Couture ended a season-worst eight-game goal-less streak with a power-play tally for the Sharks, who played at home for the first time in two weeks.

Antti Niemi made 26 saves for the Sharks, who failed to win for the third time in their last four at home.

The Sharks opened a six-game homestand after becoming the first NHL team to play 16 of its first 21 games on the road. The Sharks, who have scored two or fewer goals in seven straight, fell to 2-3-1 at home.

Bjugstad opened the scoring 24 seconds in, redirecting a shot by Dmitry Kulikov past Niemi. Kulikov, playing after missing four games because of a knee injury, earned an assist in his third straight game.

The Sharks tied it early in the second period. Couture tapped in a loose puck in front of the net after Luongo blocked a couple of pokes by Joe Pavelski.

Bjugstad scored with under three minutes to play in the second period on a power play.

His slap shot from the top of the right circle flew past Niemi. Florida scored a power-play goal in a season-best fourth consecutive game.

The Panthers improved to 4-2-4 on the road and won for the second time in three games played in California. The Sharks are 3-6 in their past nine.

NOTES

The Sharks had killed 19 of their last 21 penalties until Florida scored in the second period.

Panthers D Erik Gudbranson recorded a point for the first time in 10 games.

The Sharks were held to three shots in the third period.

Florida F Jonathan Huberdeau has four assists in his last three games.

Thornton has an eight-game point streak.

Bjugstad recorded his third career multi-goal game and second in three contests.

The attendance of 17,331 was the Sharks’ second non-sellout at home this season following a 177-game (205 including playoffs) sellout streak.