Aaron Ekblad scores in return from injury in the Panthers' 7-2 victory over the Sharks

Aaron Ekblad scores in return from injury in the Panthers’ 7-2 victory over the Sharks

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Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer, left, scores against San Jose Sharks goaltender Alexandar Georgiev during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (30) reacts as Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt, foreground, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett, foreground, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Jake Walman (96) looks toward the puck in front of Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart, right, celebrates after scoring a goal with defenseman Nate Schmidt, left, and defenseman Uvis Balinskis during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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San Jose Sharks center Will Smith celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Florida Panthers center Jesper Boqvist, left, celebrates after scoring a goal with center Anton Lundell during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) handles the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, left, looks toward the puck next to Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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Florida Panthers defenseman Uvis Balinskis, foreground left, and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, bottom left, defend against a shot attempt by San Jose Sharks center Alexander Wennberg (21) an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci, middle, is congratulated by defenseman Jake Walman, left, and center Will Smith (2) after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By ERIC HE

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Defenseman Aaron Ekblad had a goal and an assist in his return from an upper-body injury and the Florida Panthers routed the San Jose Sharks 7-2 on Saturday night.

Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists, and Nate Schmidt, Sam Bennett, A.J. Greer, Jesper Boqvist and Sam Reinhart also scored. Sergei Bobrovsky made 22 saves.

Florida outscored San Jose 4-0 in the second period, extending a 3-2 lead into a blowout.

Cody Ceci and Will Smith scored for the Sharks. They have lost six straight and 10 of 11.

Greer put the Panthers up 4-2 early in the second, chasing goalie Alexandar Georgiev, who was replaced by Yaroslav Askarov. Tkachuk, Boqvist and Reinhart promptly added goals to give the Panthers a 7-2 lead heading into the third.

The Panthers led 3-2 after the first period with Ekblad, who returned to Florida’s top defensive pairing after missing eight of the last nine games, giving the Panthers the lead.

Takeaways

Panthers: The Panthers tied a season high with the seven goals, and responded after scoring just one goal Wednesday night in a loss to the Kings.

Sharks: They have allowed at least five goals in each of the last three games. They’ve given up the most goals in the NHL this season.

Key moment

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky pulled Georgiev three minutes into the second period, but any hope of a goaltending switch sparking the club from a 4-2 deficit was quickly extinguished when the Panthers scored three times the rest of the period.

Key stat

The Panthers had their third four-goal period of the season.

Up next

The Panthers are Vegas on Sunday night. The Sharks host Pittsburgh on Monday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl