Blades of Teal
Fansided

San Jose Sharks Look To Bounce Back In Game 4

By Felix Chow

May 3, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) waits for a shot from San Jose Sharks right winger Melker Karlsson (68) during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) waits for a shot from San Jose Sharks right winger Melker Karlsson (68) during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

San Jose will look to put Game 3 behind them when they hit the ice tonight seeking a 3-1 series lead to take back to the Bay Area.

After Game 3 didn’t go as planned, the San Jose Sharks now lead the series 2-1 and look for their third win tonight in Game 4 at Bridgestone Arena. The Nashville Predators flexed their offensive muscles and really just outworked and outplayed the Sharks at virtually every facet of the game. Pekka Rinne outdueled Martin Jones by a long shot, albeit allowing Patrick Marleau‘s breakaway goal by being unreasonably out of position.

The Sharks need to step their game back up in this all-important Game 4. They know what Nashville is capable of. They’ve seen it. Now it’s their turn to elevate their game again. For one, they have to be much tighter defensively, and keep guys like Colin Wilson off the score sheet. The left-winger now has 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in the postseason, including a goal in Game 3 on Tuesday night. Good defense creates offense. We’ll see if the Sharks play their team game again.

More from Blades of Teal

Special teams will, for sure, be a factor, and it was unfortunately one that they were on the wrong end of, as they allowed two power play goals on five opportunities to the Predators. They were 0-for-4 on the man advantage themselves.

Also, the Sharks will need to do a much better job of limiting the Nashville defensemen from joining the play. In Game 3, four different Predators blue liners notched points, and San Jose must focus on containing this part of the Nashville attack. Make them defend more in their own zone rather than jumping up into the rush.

The Sharks know that this series isn’t going get any easier. The question is can they get that resiliency and momentum back?

Starting Line-Ups

San Jose SharksNashville Predators
Tomas Hertl – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski
Joonas Donskoi – Logan Couture – Joel Ward
Matt Nieto – Patrick Marleau – Melker Karlsson
Nick Spaling – Chris Tierney – Tommy WingelsMarc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Paul Martin – Brent Burns
Brenden Dillon – Roman Polak

Martin Jones
James ReimerFilip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – Craig Smith
Colin Wilson – Mike Fisher – James Neal
Pontus Aberg – Calle Jarnkrok – Viktor Arvidsson
Colton Sissons – Paul Gaustad – Miikka SalomakiRoman Josi – Shea Weber
Mattias Ekholm – Ryan Ellis
Anthony Bitetto – Barret Jackman

Pekka Rinne
Carter Hutton

Injuries/Scratches

Sharks: None.

Predators: Cody Bass (lower body) is questionable.

Next: San Jose Sharks Need Bounce Back Effort From Everyone

TV/Radio Broadcast

TV: CNBC, SportsNet, TVA Sports 2

Radio: 98.5 KFOX

Home/Sharks News