The Predators came close to scoring on one flurry in front of Jones’ net, but the Sharks ended up adding to the lead when Josi misplayed a puck at the blue line, sending Ward in on a breakaway that made it 2-0.
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After Marleau’s goal, Rinne smashed his stick against the goal post and threw it in the corner, providing the flawless illustration to the Predators frustration. In my mind, Brent Burns might be an even more important piece for the Sharks in that he seems almost unstoppable, and it shows in his production: 15 points of his own, tied with Jamie Benn for second in points through two rounds. San Jose moves on to the Western Conference Finals where they’ll face the St. Louis Blues.
“Tomorrow we’ll chat about that”, defenseman Brent Burns said. We just weren’t able to match that.
The Sharks are in the postseason for the 18th time and despite having the second most regular seasons wins in the National Hockey League since the start of the 2003-04 season, they have never made it past the conference final. Like the Sharks, they went to a Game 7. “They’re up on you and when they keep pucks in, and they get in on the forecheck, they’re tough to handle”, Jones said, referring to the Predators. “We’re glad everyone showed up and played a good game”. “It was pretty visible wasn’t it that we weren’t playing well”, Nashville forward James Neal said. Call it smugness, call it confidence, the Kings felt they had the Sharks’ number even when they trailed in their first-round series. Ward’s heavy style of play is perfectly suited for playoff hockey, and he delivered in the clutch again against the Predators, breaking a 1-1 tie midway through the third period of Game 1 and scoring the third Game 7 goal of his career on Thursday.
BLOWN CHANCE: The early season 2005-06 trade for Thornton helped the Sharks shake off a poor start and grab the fifth seed in the Western Conference. All of their previous five wins came by two goals or less. “You’re not just here to watch the big guys play, you’re here to contribute and you’re a big piece of this”.
“That’s what we’re supposed to do”.
Already this postseason they topped their archnemesis in Los Angeles, and then came out in Game 7 on Thursday night and looked like a team on a mission from the first drop of the puck.
Nashville has had three seasons end against the Sharks and are now 0-10 in San Jose in the playoffs. Corey Perry didn’t score a goal in the seven-game series, and the former NHL MVP missed an open net for a tying goal in the third period. He made 28 saves in the Game 6 overtime loss, and 41 in 111:12, the triple overtime loss in Game 4. San Jose’s blue line has gotten tighter as the playoffs have continued, with its top pair of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Justin Braun stymying the Nashville Predators’ top scorers.
Or Patrick Marleau being a big time player in the big spots in the playoffs. For the fourth consecutive season, the Ducks blew a 3-2 series lead and lost a Game 7 at home.
After making it the playoffs nine times in the last 12 years, but never getting past the second round, the Predators thought this might be their season. Game 5 of this series is scheduled for May 23. There is that little to choose from between the two teams. Both the Blues and Sharks took it to their opponents on the scoresheet, outscoring the Stars and Predators 11-1 respectively over the two days. Pietrangelo will be asked to contain the Sharks top two lines, and as excellent penalty killer, he’ll also be key to slowing down the team’s power play, which is converting at a 30.9 percent clip this spring.
Speaking of disappointing seasons, the Washington Capitals (120 points) somehow escaped a lot of heat despite bowing out in the second round to the Penguins in six games, with several experts blaming Pittsburgh’s excellence and not the Caps’ shortcomings. Evgeni Malkin combined for just four points in their six-game series against the Washington Capitals, but other Penguins forwards Carl Hagelin, Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino and Chris Kunitz combined for eight goals and 22 points.
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That’s going to be the story of the series, DeBoer said. Either of these two could very well be the difference maker in this series and are worth keeping an eye on.
