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Scoring binge carries Panthers past Sharks

Nov 12, 2014 - 5:22 AM Sunrise, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Jimmy Hayes and Aleksander Barkov recorded first-period goals that propelled the Florida Panthers to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at BB&T Center.

Derek MacKenzie and Tomas Fleischmann scored later on to support a 21-save effort from Roberto Luongo that helped the Panthers halt an 0-2-1 stretch.

"It was a great team effort," Luongo said. "It was a character win for our boys."

Joe Thornton accounted for San Jose's lone goal during the third period and Antti Niemi finished with 26 saves for the Sharks, who fell to 1-2-0 on their current seven-game road swing.

"We didn't execute at all or put two passes together," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said. "Our defensive zone coverage and our awareness on the first couple goals hurt us a lot."

The Panthers got off to an unusually fast start, potting a pair of goals within an 82-second span in the opening period to build an early lead they maintained throughout.

Vincent Trocheck set up the first score by winning a battle for puck and sending a centering pass that Jussi Jokinen tipped to Hayes, who lifted a shot over Niemi's glove with 9:04 remaining in the frame.

Barkov one-timed home a behind-the-net give from Scottie Upshall shortly afterward to put the Sharks, who mustered a mere five shots in the first period, further behind.

Florida had scored only four first-period goals through its first 12 games.

It was 3-0 just 6:37 into the second, when an uncovered MacKenzie put in a rebound of Aaron Ekblad's drive that was blocked in front of the San Jose net.

Fleischmann put an end to a personal scoring drought with 3:01 elapsed in the third period to increase the lead further. Stationed in close on Niemi, the forward tapped in Shawn Thornton's drop pass for his first goal of the season.

Joe Thornton spoiled Luongo's bid for his second shutout of the season by crashing the net and backhanding the carom of Brent Burns' long drive from the blue line with 9:25 left to play.

Game Notes

Florida has put up eight goals in its last two games after scoring two or less in 10 of its first 11 outings of the season ... The Panthers have now won six of the last seven meetings between the teams ... Fleischmann had gone 15 straight games without a goal dating back to last season ... Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov sat out with a sprained left knee sustained during Saturday's loss to Calgary ... Joe Thornton has 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 34 career games against the Panthers.