Nashville Predators continue to struggle in 2-1 loss to San Jose Sharks

March 3, 2013 |

Nashville Predators 1, San Jose Sharks 2

San Jose, CA – The Nashville Predators get out shot 39-19 in 2-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks Saturday night at the HP Pavilion. San Jose, who had been struggling with power-plays of late, scored both goals with the man advantage. This was the Sharks first win over the Predators this season.

The Predators have now lost two in a row having lost Wednesday night to the Anaheim Ducks 5-1. Nashville ranks last in goals with just 2.05 per game.

Nashville Predators’ Pekka Rinne stopped 37 shots on goal Saturday night. (Photo by Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports)

In the second, Ryan Ellis gets called for tripping giving the Sharks another power-play opportunity. Again, San Jose made the Predators pay as 16 seconds later, Logan Couture pokes the puck out from behind the net to Joe Pavelski who knocks it in before Rinne could react putting the Sharks up 2-0. San Jose outshot Nashville 14-6 in the second.

Nashville Predators Paul Gaustad

At 13:08 in the third, Nashville’s Paul Gaustad gets called for slashing. During the Shark’s power-play, Matt Irwin loses the at the blue line. Gabriel Bourque chases down the loose puck for the Predators, races down the right hand side, makes a backhand to forehand move to hit a wrist shot behind the pad of Antti Niemi for the goal making it 2-1 Sharks. This was the Predators first short handed goal of the season.

The Predators tightened up the defense in the third allowing the Sharks only 9 shots on goal. Nashville put some pressure on late in the third with a couple of good shots on goal by Patric Hornqvist and Craig Smith during a power-play, but both were stopped by Niemi.

For the Sharks, Antti Niemi stopped 18 shots on goal.

Pekka Rinne stopped 37 shots on goal for the Predators.

Predators Brandon Yip left in the game with an upper body injury after crashing into the boards in the first period.

The Predators had won both prior meetings before Saturday night’s game. The first was a 2-1 shootout on February 2nd at HP Pavilion and the second was 1-0 victory February 12th in overtime at Bridgestone Arena.

Next Game

The Nashville Predators hit the ice again Monday, March 4th to take on the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. The puck drops at 9:30pm (CT).

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