Sharks vs. Predators results, NHL playoffs 2016: Predators force Game 7 in quick overtime win
The Western Conference will see a second Game 7 after Nashville’s overtime heroics.
Viktor Arvidsson got the game winner for Nashville, who were able to tie the game up late to send it to overtime.
It didn't start the Predators' way, however. San Jose opened a 2-0 hole for Nashville in the middle of the first with two goals in two minutes. Chris Tierney got both for the Sharks, first getting a stick in front on a shot from Marc-Edouard Vlasic at the point. The second was an easy tap in at the side of the cage; Pekka Rinne was scrambling in the blue paint as Tierney got through the Predators defense to double the lead.
The Predators jumped right back in it with Roman Josi's first goal of the playoffs. The defenseman cut in through the slot and got a lucky shot off that rolled up Martin Jones' stick. The puck went over the netminder's shoulder and sliced the lead to 2-1 heading into the first intermission.
Ryan Johansen evened the game at 2-2 a minute and 25 seconds into the second period. The forward's dangle around a defender froze Jones as Johansen's backhander went five hole for the equalizer. The Sharks were lucky to escape the period with the tie, as the Predators outshot the visitors 14-4 in the middle frame.
Logan Couture put the Sharks up 3-2 on their first power play of the night in the third period. Rinne once again was out of position as Couture was able to fire one through the flailing arms of the diving netminder. Just like that, however, the Predators tied the game 3-3 when Colin Wilson finished a tic-tac-toe passing play that had the Sharks all looking the wrong way.
Overtime was needed to decide Game 6, but it didn't last long. Two minutes into the extra period of hockey, Viktor Arvidsson's seemingly harmless backhander went high over the shoulder of Jones off a rush to give the Predators the 4-3 win and force the Western Conference's second Game 7 of the second round.
