01/19/26 08:16:00
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01/19 20:14 CST Will Smith scores as the Sharks spoil Matthew Tkachuk's return
by beating the Panthers 4-1
Will Smith scores as the Sharks spoil Matthew Tkachuk's return by beating the
Panthers 4-1
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) --- Will Smith scored in his second consecutive game after
missing a month because of injury, and the San Jose Sharks spoiled Matthew
Tkachuk's season debut by beating the two-time defending champion Florida
Panthers 4-1 on Monday night in a game highlighted by a rare goalie fight.
Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky beelined out of his crease and all the way down the
ice to take on San Jose's Alex Nedeljkovic, who had inserted himself into a
scrum in the corner with 14 minutes left. Fans chanted, "Bobby! Bobby!" and
cheered the netminder nicknamed "Bob" who has backstopped the team to
back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
The second meeting between the teams this season, and first since Nov. 8, got
increasingly chippy with pushing and shoving after whistles and more than a few
punches thrown.
Between the whistles, the Sharks also got goals from defensemen Vincent
Desharnais and Mario Ferraro and 36 saves from Nedeljkovic. Barclay Goodrow
sealed it with an empty-netter, and San Jose won hours after general manager
Mike Grier signaled his team is going for it this season following a lengthy
rebuild by acquiring winger Kiefer Sherwood in a trade with Vancouver.
Tkachuk skated just under 21 minutes and had three shots on goal in his first
game since helping Florida repeat and hoisting the Cup in June. The 28-year-old
winger, who was picked to play for the U.S. at the Olympics next month in
Milan, underwent surgery last summer to deal with a sports hernia and torn
adductor muscle.
Eetu Luostarinen scored the Panthers' goal. Bobrovsky allowed three on 27
shots, giving up several juicy rebounds that San Jose capitalized on.
Puck drop was moved up an hour to a 6 p.m. EST start after the Miami Hurricanes
made the college football national title game, which was being played in their
nearby home stadium.
Up next
Sharks: Wrap up their road trip Tuesday night at Tampa Bay.
Panthers: Open a three-game trip Thursday night at Winnipeg.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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