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Nashville Predators Fall To Sharks As Playoff Hopes Hang By A Thread
TL;DR
The Nashville Predators lost 3-2 to the San Jose Sharks, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. They need the Los Angeles Kings to lose to have a chance at a playoff spot against the Ducks on Thursday.
(Alan Poizner-Imagn Images)
The Nashville Predators' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after losing to the San Jose Sharks, 3-2, at home on Monday.
Nashville will need Los Angeles to lose in any sort of fashion in order for the Predators to have a chance to compete for a playoff spot on Thursday against the Ducks.
Luke Evangelista had the lone Predators goal of the contest, going bardown on Alex Nedeljkovic in the late third period. It was his 11th goal of the season.
Evangelista scored again late in the third to cut it back down to a one-goal Sharks lead.
A boarding call on Steven Stamkos in the second period, but the Sharks are on the power play. Igor Chernyshov wristed in a kick-out pass from William Eklund that beat Justus Annunen's blocker side.
In the third period, a disputed icing call on the Predators set a face-off in Nashville's zone. The puck was dumped into the Sharks' zone, but was touched by Alex Nedeljkovic before crossing the line. The play was still stopped due to icing.
Off the face-off, Justin Barron got the puck back, but turned it over along the boards. That allowed Macklin Celebrini to net his 43rd goal of the season and put the Sharks up by two.
He added an empty goal with 1:45 left in the game to add some insurance to the Sharks' victory.
Justus Aunnen made 20 saves on 22 shots, snapping a two-game win streak. Nashville went with Annunen over Juuse Saros following a pair of wins over Anaheim and Minnesota.
This was also San Jose's first win over the Predators since Nov. 9, 2019, which was a 2-1 shootout Sharks win in San Jose. It's the Sharks' first win in Nashville since Oct. 23, 2018, a 5-4 win.
Nashville falls to 38-33-10 on the year, sitting at 86 points. It is staring at the possibility of missing the playoffs for a second straight season.
Q&A
What are the Nashville Predators' chances of making the playoffs after losing to the Sharks?
The Predators' chances are slim; they need the Los Angeles Kings to lose in any manner to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Who scored the only goal for the Nashville Predators in the game against the Sharks?
Luke Evangelista scored the only goal for the Predators, marking his 11th goal of the season.
When do the Nashville Predators play next and against whom?
The Predators play next on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks.
