Overtime Decider
Luca Cagnoni scored the game-winner in overtime to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Florida Panthers on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at SAP Center in San Jose, California. The home team claimed its first win of the season with a record of 1-0-0 and two points.
Florida, which finished with a 1-0-1 record and three points, fell short in a tightly contested season-opening affair that drew an attendance of 17,435 fans.
Early Momentum Shifts
The Sharks seized an early lead in the first period when Mason Marchment scored a wrist shot goal. San Jose extended its advantage in the second period, with Will Smith scoring twice. Smith’s first goal was assisted by Macklin Celebrini, while his second was assisted by Celebrini and Cagnoni.
Florida answered late in the second period when Eetu Luostarinen scored a backhand goal, assisted by Lars Eller and Aaron Ekblad, to cut the deficit to one goal.
Panthers’ Comeback Push
The visitors mounted a strong effort in the third period to tie the game. Eetu Luostarinen scored his second goal of the night with a tip-in, assisted by Dmitry Kulikov and Anton Lundell. Matthew Tkachuk then equalized with a wrist shot goal, assisted by Sam Bennett, sending the game into overtime with the score tied at 3-3.
The period scores reflected the back-and-forth nature of the contest, with Florida scoring one goal in the second period and two in the third, while San Jose scored one in the first, two in the second, and the winner in overtime.
Key Performances
Will Smith was the standout performer for San Jose, recording two goals and one assist for three total points. Macklin Celebrini provided three assists, including the setup for Cagnoni’s overtime winner. For Florida, Eetu Luostarinen was the offensive engine, scoring both of the team’s third-period goals and finishing with two goals and two points.
Dmitry Kulikov contributed one assist on Luostarinen’s second goal. The Sharks’ ability to maintain composure in overtime proved decisive, as Cagnoni’s wrist shot, assisted by Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini, sealed the victory for the home crowd.
Sources
ESPN
