Thornton makes Sharks a winner in his debut

Joe Thornton had two assists in his debut with San Jose, setting up Jonathan Cheechoo twice, and the visiting Sharks snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 5-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

Evgeni Nabokov made 20 saves for his fourth win of the season – and first since Oct. 15 against Chicago – but left with 11:20 remaining. He went directly to the dressing room, and backup Nolan Schaefer finished the game.

Thornton, acquired Wednesday in a blockbuster deal with the Boston Bruins, started at center between his cousin Scott Thornton and Cheechoo.

The Sabres had their five-game winning streak snapped and lost in regulation for the first time in 10 games (8-1-1).

Lightning 3, Blackhawks 2 (SO): At Tampa, Fla., Brad Richards scored the deciding goal in the shootout and John Grahame won his seventh straight decision as Tampa Bay defeated Chicago.

Richards gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead through two rounds of the shootout. Grahame then stopped Mark Bell to give Tampa Bay the victory. Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier scored for the Lightning, who have won eight of 10.

Stars 5, Hurricanes 4 (SO): At Dallas, Mike Modano scored the shootout winner and added two goals in regulation, snapping a nine-game scoring drought and sending Dallas past Carolina.

Jussi Jokinen converted on Dallas’ second shootout opportunity after Matt Cullen scored for the Hurricanes. Modano gave the Stars the victory on Dallas’ final shot when he stuffed the puck between the post and Martin Gerber’s right pad.

Senators 5, Kings 1: At Ottawa, Dany Heatley scored twice and Dominik Hasek made 28 saves, leading Ottawa past Los Angeles in a game that featured several third-period fights and penalties.