Nugent-Hopkins scores shootout winner for Oilers

[March 24, 2012]  SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) -- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the deciding goal in the fourth round of a shootout to give the Edmonton Oilers a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday night.

Nugent-Hopkins' goal was the only score in the shootout.

Ryan Jones scored in regulation for the Oilers, and Devan Dubnyk made 26 saves.

Jason Garrison scored for the Panthers, and Jose Theodore stopped 20 shots.

The Panthers had a chance to win in the final seconds of overtime. Kris Versteeg had a shot from in front, but Dubnyk stopped the puck against the post with his left skate.

The Southeast Division-leading Panthers remained four points ahead of Washington.

The Panthers had their five-game home winning streak snapped. Florida has dropped four straight at home against Edmonton since beating the Oilers on March 8, 2002.

Jones opened the scoring in the second period. Nugent-Hopkins grabbed a loose puck in the Panthers' zone and brought it down the ice. He passed to Jordan Eberle at the top of the right circle, who passed to Jones to the left of the crease. Jones' slap shot went past Theodore at 1:37.

The Panthers tied it at 4:58. Tomas Fleischmann passed from the high slot to Garrison in the left circle and Garrison beat Dubnyk on the glove side. With the goal, Garrison broke the Panthers' franchise record for goals in a season by a defenseman with 16. Garrison shared the previous record of 15 with Jay Bouwmeester 2008-09 and 2007-08, and Bryan McCabe 2008-09.

NOTES: Florida D Brian Campbell played in his 700th NHL game. ... Edmonton LW Taylor Hall missed his fourth game since sustaining a concussion after being knocked unconscious against Calgary on March 16. ... The game was the only meeting of the season between the teams.

[Associated Press]

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