Blades of Teal
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San Jose Sharks Look To Close Out Predators In Game 6

By Felix Chow

May 7, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) scores a goal past Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the second 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 center Logan Couture (39) scores a goal past Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the second 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 a crucial win in Game 5 at the Tank, the San Jose Sharks fly to Nashville looking to close out the Predators in Game 6.

The San Jose Sharks made their fans extra proud in Game 5 after much uncertainty about how they would respond to a loss in triple overtime. Tonight, the Sharks head back to Bridgestone Arena looking to close out the Nashville Predators in Music City.

No game in the playoffs are ever easy, but I expect the Predators to really pour it on and give it their all tonight. They need everyone in, not just Pekka Rinne, not just the Mike Fisher line. They need Shea Weber to chip in more. They need Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen to produce more. Nashville’s going to have to push the pace after just a completely unacceptable Game 5 loss for them. It’s do-or-die for them, so we’ll just have to see if their leaders step up.

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As far as the Sharks are concerned, there is a lot to like about this team. Even when they’ve faced adversity, they’ve bounced back with strong efforts; I go back to the triple OT loss again for the Sharks. We as fans and analysts can debate about whether or not Joe Pavelski‘s goal in the first overtime should have counted, but the Sharks didn’t have a choice but to accept the loss. They came back to SAP Center and played a very complete game like the loss never even happened. That’s what has my hopes up for this Sharks team.

They’ll be expecting a desperate Nashville team looking to get over the hump for the first time in franchise history. But there’s no doubt in my mind that San Jose should be able to take the win tonight. They’ve shown they have the offensive depth to do it. Pavelski has been leading the way as captain with a team-leading eight goals this postseason, which is also second most in the League. While their defense can be suspect at times, right now I feel like it has been pretty good of late.

Starting Line-Ups

San Jose Sharks

Nashville Predators

Tomas Hertl – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski

Patrick Marleau – Logan Couture – Joonas Donskoi

Matt Nieto – Chris Tierney – Joel Ward

Dainius Zubrus – Nick Spaling – Melker Karlsson

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Paul Martin – Brent Burns
Brenden Dillon – Roman Polak

Martin Jones
James Reimer

Filip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – Craig Smith
Colin Wilson – Mike Fisher – James Neal
Calle Jarnkrok – Mike Ribeiro – Viktor Arvidsson
Colton Sissons – Paul Gaustad – Miikka Salomaki

Roman Josi – Shea Weber
Mattias Ekholm – Ryan Ellis
Anthony Bitetto – Barret Jackman

Pekka Rinne
Carter Hutton

Injuries/Scratches

Sharks: None.

Predators: None.

Next: San Jose Sharks Roster Shakeup Worked Wonders In Game 5

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