The Florida Panthers take part in an optional morning skate at SAP Center in San Jose The San Jose Sharks put up a good fight on Tuesday night against the Florida Panthers, but ultimately it would be the more talented team that came out on top. Florida may have been leading after two periods, but it was the host Sharks who took a late lead and forced an appearance from the Comeback Cats. Three goals in the game's final ten minutes would send Florida to a 5-3 victory in San Jose. Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice was forced to mixed up his forward lines after the Sharks took a surprising late lead. Fortunately for Florida, the team’s star players would once again drive the bus. To their credit, the Sharks have been putting up a much better fight of late after seemingly hitting rock bottom a couple weeks ago when they gave up 20 goals over back-to-back games. They came to play on Tuesday, skating a fairly even opening period with Florida. The teams traded goals, with current Panther Ryan Lomberg sniping Mackenzie Blackwood midway through the frame before former Panther Mike Hoffman put home an Anthony Stolarz rebound from a very sharp angle to send the teams into the break tied at one. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Another former Panthers forward, Givani Smith, was a little too aggressive when throwing the body on Oliver Ekman-Larsson, resulting in a two-minute minor for roughing. Sam Reinhart would remain scalding hot, popping in a backhand from the top of the crease to give Florida the lead heading to the third period. San Jose came out firing during the third, scoring goals 70 seconds apart to shock the Panthers and propel themselves into the lead, but like most positive things for the Sharks this season, it wouldn’t last. With Marc-Edouard Vlasic in the box for tripping Evan Rodrigues, Florida cashed in on the power play when Carter Verhaeghe finished off a sneaky cross-ice pass from Matthew Tkachuk. Sixty-three seconds later it was the Panthers fourth line coming up with another goal. This time Kevin Stenlund showed off his hands, deflecting a Uvis Balinskis point shot past Blackwood to put Florida back in front for good. Panthers captain Sasha Barkov added an insurance empty netter to seal the victory, Florida’s fifth in a row. Here are a few thoughts and observations from Tuesday tilt at the Shark Tank: Sam Bennett is slowly but surely catching up to the game and looking like his sneaky quick self, but he’s taken three penalties in his two games back. Another game, another multi-point outing for Reinhart. He’s now up to 12 goals and 23 points in Florida’s 15 games. Niko Mikkola quietly had an extremely effective game on the Panthers blueline. He shut down several Sharks rush opportunities during the second period, and overall, his advanced numbers at even strength were quite good. Scoring chances were 13-6 in Florida’s favor with him on the ice while high danger chances were 5-2 for the Panthers. Florida received multi-point games from Reinhart, Barkov, Tkachuk and Verhaeghe. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Pregame notebook: Stolarz to face Sharks again, Ekblad and Montour very close to returning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/pregame-notebook-stolarz-to-face-sharks-again-ekblad-and-montour-very-close-to-returning] Sharks welcome Panthers to San Jose in matchup of teams moving in opposite directions [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sharks-welcome-panthers-to-san-jose-in-matchup-of-teams-moving-in-opposite-directions] Panthers forward Sam Reinhart named NHL's First Star of the Week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-forward-sam-reinhart-named-nhls-first-star-of-the-week] Panthers defensive presence has been difference in hot start to season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/panthers-defensive-presence-has-been-difference-in-hot-start-to-season] Three takeaways: Impressive outings from 2 star forwards, Florida keeps cooking at home [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-impressive-outings-from-2-star-forwards-florida-keeps-cooking-at-home] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
