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San Jose Sharks Top Playoff Moments: Powering Past Preds In Game 5

By Mike McCareins

May 7, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks fans celebrate a goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks fans celebrate a goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the series knotted at 2-2 against the Predators, the Sharks won a crucial Game 5 in dominating fashion led by familiar names.

As we continue with our countdown of the Top 10 playoff moments from the postseason, here’s a chance to look back the previous ones:

Related Story: No. 10: The Captain Delivers

Related Story: No. 9: How It Began

Related Story: No. 8: Power-Play Explosion

Related Story: No. 7: Ward Gives Sharks Life

Now, as we’ve reached moment number six in our countdown, take the chance to go back six weeks when the Sharks faced off against the Predators in a pivotal Game 5 matchup.

6. Sharks Beat Predators In Game 5, Take 3-2 Series Lead

The San Jose Sharks had no momentum going into Game 5 against the Nashville Predators.

They had just lost a triple overtime heartbreaker in Game 4, their second-straight loss, as they traveled back to the Shark Tank.

Yet, Game 5 would embody the 2015-16 Sharks team. Not only did they win, they dominated. A 5-1 victory over a team coming off back-to-back wins and trying to reach their first conference finals in franchise history is unbelievably impressive.

Many speculated the triple OT loss would be too much to overcome and seal the deal for a Sharks playoff exit, but the team shut down those critics quickly.

Getting the first goal was absolutely necessary for the Sharks to bring a little optimism back, and Patrick Marleau made sure that happened.

However, Mike Fisher would strike back shortly later in the period to tie the score at one. Joe Pavelski, though, put the Sharks ahead for good, scoring what would already be his seventh goal of the playoffs.

The Sharks continued commanding play right away in period two, as Logan Couture doubled his team’s lead just 35 seconds into the period. Joonas Donskoi notched his second assist of the night on the tally.

The period ended just as it started: with a Sharks goal. This one again off the stick of Pavelski, with Joe Thornton tallying his second helper of the night as well and Marleau making a nice feed for the primary assist.

That 4-1 score would hold for nearly the rest of the contest until Melker Karlsson scored in the waning minutes to seal a 5-1 win for team teal.

Next: Sharks Areas Of Need Ahead of NHL Draft

The win was a total team effort, as guys like Karlsson, Donskoi and Justin Braun (who had two assists in the win) played well, and goaltender Martin Jones was strong guarding his crease. They limited Nashville to 25 shots and recorded 13 takeaways compared to the Preds who earned just two.

The win put the Sharks one step closer to their first Stanley Cup Final in team history, and along with Game 7 in the same series, was one of the best performances the team put on display this season. In a game the Sharks absolutely needed in a desperate situation, the team surprised many and outplayed their opponent for all 60 minutes.

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