How did Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher maintain the energy to play 37 minutes and 33 seconds of playoff hockey through Thursday night and early Friday morning?
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After falling into a two-game hole to open up the series against the San Jose Sharks, the Preds responded in a major way, cruising to a Game 3 win and, suddenly, making this a much more interesting series.
The two teams square off again Saturday for Game 5 in what likely is going to be a long and physical series and a reminder of why we love the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Unfortunately for the San Jose Sharks, [Joe Pavelski] did so from his stomach, while laying on top of goalie Pekka Rinne, have barreled into him on a confusing, controversial play that ended with the Sharks have a goal waved off on the ice and then having the ruling confirmed by the NHL War Room. Nashville outshot the Sharks 11-9 in the first OT, nearly ending it when Ryan Johansen’s wrister from the slot beat Jones but banged off the right goalpost – the fourth post or crossbar the Predators hit in the game.
Cody Eakin, C, Dallas Stars: Speaking of overtime, the Stars and Blues took an extra period to decide their game four last night at Scottrade Center.
“That rule has been clear as mud to coaches all year”, DeBoer said. Pavelski felt the contact was incidental. But when the puck dropped, the Sharks followed one of their worst periods of the playoffs – the first – with one of their better periods in the second. The difference was special teams, as Nashville scored twice on the power play and the Sharks failed to cash in on four chances with the man advantage. Just moments after an interference penalty to Josi expired, Donskoi put a shot toward the net that went off the stick of Ellis and through Rinne to tie the game 1-1 with 5:52 left in the second.
“Usually, a simple shot and a rebound will decide it when you get to that stage of a game”, Ekholm said.
Tomorrow’s game is as big of a gut check San Jose will face all season.
Prior to Donskoi’s goal, Filip Forsberg could not manage to dump the puck down the ice as the Sharks’ power play was dwindling down to it’s final seconds. The Predators allowed three power-play goals in five chances in San Jose before yielding one in nine in their two home wins. “We knew if we [lost] this game it’s down 3-1, and that’s a tough break”.
After reviewing all available replays and consulting with NHL Hockey Operations staff, the Linesman determined that the Sharks tagged up and entered the attacking zone legally prior to the goal.
In the first overtime, each team had plenty of chances.
As the Sharks and Nashville Predators entered the third overtime period, only one thing was certain. Nashville coach Peter Laviolette challenged on the basis that Joel Ward was offside.
Wilson increased his point streak to five games, with three goals and three assists over that span.
The officials judged that Pavelski had pinned down Rinne before the puck crossed the line.
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The Sharks have lost consecutive games away from home just once since mid-December, a credit to their ability to make adjustments as they go often without the benefit of practice.
