Sturm scores winner, Thomas makes 25 saves in Bruins’ 2-1 win over Panthers

Sturm lifts Bruins past Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. — Marco Sturm broke a third-period tie, and Tim Thomas made 25 saves in the Boston Bruins’ 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Sunday night.

Sturm scored at 4:39 of the final period, tipping the puck past Scott Clemmensen for his 11th goal of the season. Clemmensen started in place of Tomas Vokoun, the Florida regular who shut out the Bruins in their last two meetings.

Dominic Moore opened the scoring for Florida early in the first period, and Michael Ryder tied it late in the second.

Clemmensen finished with 26 saves.

Ryder tied it with 3:58 left in the second, redirecting the puck past Clemmensen for his 10th goal. Andrew Ference took the initial shot from the point, and Ryder took advantage of a partially screened Clemmensen.

It was the Bruins’ first goal against Florida in the past three games over two seasons. Vokoun beat the Bruins 2-0 on Feb. 21 and 1-0 on Nov. 12.

Moore opened the scoring at 4:09 of the first period when his blast from a sharp angle hit Thomas’ pad and trickled into the net.

NOTES: Bruins’ defenseman Matt Hunwick played in his 100th NHL game. … The game was the first of three in four days for the Bruins leading up to the Winter Classic on Friday at Fenway Park.