Bruins defeat Sharks in shootout

Zdeno Chara scored the only goal in a shootout to give the Boston Bruins a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.

Daniel Paille scored in regulation, and Tim Thomas stopped 41 shots to help the Bruins end a three-game losing streak. Thomas has won four of his last five road games.

Joe Thornton scored for the Sharks, and Evgeni Nabokov made 30 saves. Dan Heatley assisted on Thornton’s goal, giving him seven points in his last seven games.

The Bruins played without centers Patrice Bergeron or Marc Savard for the third straight game.

Paille gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 2:50 of the second period. Shawn Thornton stole a pass at the blue line and got it to Paille, who tipped the puck past Nabokov.

Thornton scored his second career goal against his former team to tie the score. Dan Boyle took a hard shot that bounced in front of the net. After Heatley got a stick on it, Thornton slapped it into the net at 9:56 of the second.

-- associated press