San Jose Sharks fall again at home for a third straight defeat to the Predators

It was another disappointing result for the Sharks. They were trying to show that they had overcome some of the scoring woes that have plagued them, but only dispelled the idea of back-to-back home shutouts in the third period. Another defeat at the hands of the Predators, this time 4-2, means that the Sharks are now just a point above the Chicago Blackhawks in the standings with two games fewer played.

Nashville would strike first. Michael McCarron was able to feed a pass over to Kiefer Sherwood at the back post. With no one around, the 28-year-old was able to fire the puck home past Kaapo Kahkonen as he was on track for his second Gordie Howe hat trick of the season against the San Jose Sharks. This is a team that has gotten used to trailing in the Sharks, so there should be no heads dropping as the team in teal continue to play the right way.

Nashville's powerplay would double the lead late in the second period. Gustav Nuquist was able to get the puck from behind the net over to Roman Josi. Josi was able to get it back to the point for the star of this Predators team. Filip Forsberg was able to fire it home from the point and the Predators third power play attempt of the night found the twine behind Kaapo Kahkonen as the Sharks were now in trouble.

Knowing they would need to secure an offensive faceoff win, the Sharks win a draw and get it back to the point. Mikael Granlund would receive the puck near the red line at the bottom of the zone and was able to beat Saros over the shoulder get the boys in teal on the board. With it now being just a one-goal game, the Sharks needed to ride the momentum and grab a second one to get it tied up before the Predators got their feet back under them.

Nashville would be the team to get it back. Kieffer Sherwood was able to beat Henry Thrun into the Sharks zone and created a 2-on-1 with Jan Rutta as the only one back. He was able to fire it home past Kaapo Kahkonen for Sherwood's second of the game and the Shark killer restored the multiple goal lead for the Preds. It's been a difficult night, but the Sharks now needed to ramp back up if they were going to get anything from it.

When the Sharks needed someone to step up in the absence of Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl, it would come. Jan Rutta took the puck to the net on a wraparound attempt that was stoned by Saros. As the puck slide harmlessly through the slot, it ended up on the stick of Filip Zadina who was able to get it home and the Sharks were back within one looking to tie this game up at 3 with half the third period to go.

Gustav Nyquist would hit the empty net with 11 seconds left to seal a 4-2 Nashville win. This was another game where the Sharks offensive struggles put on display just how far this team is from being a playoff contender. Three straight losses now at least allowed the Sharks to grab a couple of goals for the road, which hasn't always been a given for this team.