HURRICANES 3, SHARKS 2: Jussi Jokinen scored to snap a tie with over eight minutes remaining in the third period as Carolina continued its late surge by defeating visiting San Jose.
Reigning Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner also tallied and rookie defenseman Justin Faulk netted a power-play goal for the Hurricanes, who improved to 4-0-2 in their last six games. Carolina has now defeated San Jose in four of the last five meetings.
Veteran defenseman Dan Boyle ended Justin Peters' bid for his first shutout by scoring 1:26 into the third period. Fellow blue-liner Brent Burns also tallied nearly 2 1/2 minutes later for the Pacific Division-leading Sharks, who fell for the fifth time in the last seven contests and dropped to 1-2-1 on their current season-long nine-game road trip.
With the game tied at 2-2, Jokinen redirected defenseman Jamie McBain's shot past Thomas Greiss for his eighth goal of the season - and first since Jan. 20.
Making his third start of the season and 19th career, Peters made Jokinen's tally with 8:05 remaining stand up. He finished with 35 saves.
Trailing by two goals, Boyle made McBain pay for a giveaway in his own zone and wristed a shot past Peters. Burns then promptly leveled the contest.
Skinner opened the scoring 7:31 into the first period by wiring a sharp-angle shot off the skate of a San Jose defender and past Greiss. The goal was Skinner's 16th of the season.
With his team on the power play, Faulk doubled the advantage just over three minutes later after Jiri Tlusty found him skating in from the point. The blue-liner then beat Greiss with his fifth goal of the season - and first since Jan. 14.
GAME NOTEBOOK: By setting up Burns, Dominic Moore notched an assist in his first game since being traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Tampa Bay received San Jose’s second-round pick in the 2012 NHL entry draft, previously owned by the Minnesota Wild. The Sharks also received the Lightning’s seventh-round selection in 2012. ... All-Star Logan Couture was one of three Sharks with five shots on goal. ... Faulk led the Hurricanes with four shots on goal.
San Jose | Carolina | |
Dan Boyle 1 | Points | Jussi Jokinen 2 |
Dan Boyle 1 | Goals | Jussi Jokinen 1 |
Ryane Clowe 1 | Assists | Jussi Jokinen 1 |
N/A | Power Play Goals | Justin Faulk 1 |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Thomas Greiss .880 | Save Percentage | Justin Peters .946 |
Thomas Greiss 22 | Saves | Justin Peters 35 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
San Jose | 37 | 2 | 0-1 | 1-2 | 6 | 39 |
Carolina | 25 | 3 | 1-2 | 1-1 | 4 | 32 |