Programming note: Sharks-Predators coverage starts tonight at 4:30 pm with Sharks Pregame Live on CSN California. The game is on NBCSN.
Series schedule
The Sharks lead the best-of-seven series, one game to none.
Game 1: Sharks 5, Predators 2
Game 2: Sunday, May 1, Predators @ Sharks (5:00 p.m.)
Game 3: Tuesday, May 3, Sharks @ Predators (6:00 p.m.)
Game 4: Thursday, May 5, Sharks @ Predators (6:00 p.m.)
*Game 5: Saturday, May 7, Predators @ Sharks (TBD)
*Game 6: Monday, May 9, Sharks @ Predators (TBD)
*Game 7: Wednesday, May 12, Predators @ Sharks (TBD)
* - if necessary
Last game
The Sharks scored five goals in the third period, erasing a 1-0 deficit after two to beat the Predators, 5-2. Joel Ward set up Tomas Hertl’s tying goal on the power play early in the third and scored a few minutes later to give San Jose the lead for good, while Logan Couture scored twice, including an empty-netter. Nashville got goals from Mike Fisher (power play) and Ryan Johansen.
Keep an eye on…
Sharks: Joel Ward. There was no rust to shake off for Ward, who was probably the Sharks’ best player in their Game 1 win. Acquired in the offseason in large part for his ability to perform in the playoffs, Ward has one goal and five assists (all primary) through six games. In his career, he now averages .69 points-per-game in the playoffs, up from .44 in the regular season.
Predators: James Neal. He didn’t get on the scoresheet in Game 1, but Neal led the Preds with six shots on goal. He also has an ability to get underneath the other team’s skin, and if things don’t go well for the Predators early in Game 2, the 31-goal scorer in the regular season could very well try and activate that part of his game.
Probable lines
Sharks
Tomas Hertl – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski
Joonas Donskoi – Logan Couture – Joel Ward
Patrick Marleau – Chris Tierney – Melker Karlsson
Matt Nieto – Nick Spaling – Tommy Wingels
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Paul Martin – Brent Burns
Brenden Dillon – Roman Polak
Martin Jones
James Reimer
Predators
Filip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – James Neal
Calle Jarnkrok – Mike Ribeiro – Miikka Salomaki
Colin Wilson – Mike Fisher – Viktor Arvidsson
Eric Nystrom – Paul Gaustad – Colton Sissons
Roman Josi – Shea Weber
Mattias Ekholm – Ryan Ellis
Anthony Bitetto – Barret Jackman
Pekka Rinne
Carter Hutton
Vitals
Sharks
Goals per game: 3.50
Goals-against per game: 2.17
Power play: 29.2 percent
Penalty kill: 75.0 percent
Predators
Goals per game: 2.00
Goals-against per game: 2.88
Power play: 7.1 percent
Penalty kill: 78.6 percent
Injuries/Scratches
Sharks: None.
Predators: Craig Smith (lower body) and Cody Bass (lower body) are questionable.
Sharks playoff record when…
The Sharks are 11-6 when winning the first game of a playoff series. They are 7-2 when leading two games to none, and 8-5 when a series is tied 1-1.
They are 14-18 in all-time in Game 2’s, including 8-7 at home.
Odds and ends
*The Sharks are 3-1 when scoring first, and 2-0 when their opponent scores first this playoffs.
*Every Sharks skater this postseason has at least one point except for the third defense pair of Roman Polak and Brenden Dillon.
*San Jose’s five third-period goals Friday tied a franchise record for most in a single period at time at home.
*Tonight will mark Nashville’s ninth playoff game in 17 days.
*The Preds are 0-6 all-time when losing the first game of a playoff series.
Quotable
“L.A. was a big strong team up front. These guys are too. They’re maybe a little quicker and a little more dangerous off the rush.” – Martin Jones
