How the Sharks have 'weathered the storm' against the Predators

After chipping a rebounded puck past Pekka Rinne and into the back of the net, Joe Pavelski busted into an epic goal celebration — cranking his right fist back so far that he took a knee, then punching up into the air like Mario trying to bust open of block of bricks.

That go-ahead goal in the third frame of Game 2 wasn’t just another example of Pavelski showing why he’s worthy of the nickname “Captain Clutch.” It was the marker that led the San Jose Sharks to another hard-fought win over the tough Nashville Predators to take a 2-0 lead in their home barn.

“Coming into these playoffs, there was a lot of talk about our home record,” Pavelski said of getting two wins at home before hitting the road. “It’s good that we have that, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.”

It does make for an impressive showing, however, as the Sharks lead the only series in Round 2 that isn’t split down the middle. The Lightning was up-ended by the New York Islanders in Game 1 in Tampa Bay before rallying to a victory in the second tilt. It took David Backes’ power-play goal in overtime to lift the Blues over the Stars in Dallas to send the series back to St. Louis tied at a game apiece. And it’s a wonder with late hits and sticks getting stuck in visors that the Capitals and Penguins have each notched wins in their series and not just annihilated each other.

Yet, against an unwavering Predators’ defense and a veteran goalie making a highlight reel’s worth of saves, the Sharks head to Nashville with two tallies in the win column.

“I think in the playoffs you have to win all kinds of different ways,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer told the media after the 3-2 victory on Sunday. “I think what we saw out of [Nashville] was what I expected, a good team with their backs against the wall. I like how we weathered it. We were opportunistic. We won the special teams battle, and that helped us win the game. It’s all part of it. Our goaltending is part of it, our special teams is a part of it and so is our five-on-five play.”

It did take a mix of factors on the Sharks’ part to “weather the storm” against a Predators squad in order to pull out the win. Martin Jones — whom DeBoer called the Sharks’ “best player” in Game 2 — registered 37 saves on the night. San Jose's power play continued to grind at the Predators' kill, despite Nashville getting in front of even the most terrifying Brent Burns slap shots. Key moments by key players like Pavelski, Joe Thornton,and Logan Couture helped push the Sharks through the 60-minute bout.

“These guys,” San Jose forward Tommy Wingels complimented the labeled leadership corps, “they find their way in those moments when you need someone to step up.”

Now it’s time for San Jose to step up outside of its own building. After leading the league in road wins in the regular season and carrying that success into the postseason thus far, it’s time to bring that road mojo into Bridgestone Arena.

“We understand the series is only going to get tougher,” Pavelski said. “(Nashville) is going to go home. They’ve been on the road for a little bit. So we’ve got to pick up our desperation a little bit.”