Cagnoni’s OT winner lifts Sharks past Panthers in season opener
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Luca Cagnoni scored 3:14 into overtime, sending the San Jose Sharks to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night in their season opener. Cagnoni fired a shot that got past Florida goaltender Akira Schmid to finish a game that saw the Sharks build a three-goal lead before the Panthers rallied. San Jose took control early when Mason Marchment scored with 5:40 remaining in the first period. Will Smith then added two goals in the second. His first came while the Sharks were shorthanded, and his second came on the power play. Macklin Celebrini assisted on both goals, with Smith and Celebrini each finishing with three points. Florida responded with a strong third period. Eetu Luostarinen scored twice, including one goal that came during a 17-second stretch with Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk’s goal at 5:18 of the third tied the game and forced overtime.
Yaroslav Askarov stopped 23 shots for San Jose, while Schmid finished with 28 saves for Florida. The game also featured several physical exchanges, including a fight between Tkachuk and Jacob Trouba at center ice. Florida captain Aleksander Barkov left the game in the second period after his left knee appeared to buckle during a scrum along the boards involving Sharks defenseman Darnell Nurse and forward Zack Ostapchuk. Barkov left the ice and headed to the locker room. Barkov missed the entire previous season after suffering ACL and MCL tears during training camp. Thursday marked his second game of the current season.
The Panthers visit Anaheim on Sunday night. The Sharks return home Saturday night to host the Los Angeles Kings.
