Game 6 loss forces game 7 at SAP Center.
Giving up a few bad goals, and the Sharks could not hold onto the leads they had during game 6. In OT, Preds won. Sharks also lost Nieto to injury.
Nieto was not among the players that practiced on Wednesday. Wingels and Haley participated on the fourth line, so one (perhaps Wingels) should replace Nieto in Thursday’s game 7 lineup. UPDATE: Wingels in for Nieto; Karlsson promoted to 3rd line.
Sharks are 5-4 in game 7s. Predators will play in their second (all time) game 7 (after winning their first in previous series).
Sharks hope that home ice advantage is theirs tonight.
Sharks will win if they execute their game plan: deadly on the man advantage, speed kills (offense), strong defense. They’ll need to neutralize the Predators in all three zones, especially the defensive zone.
(Regardless of the results of this game, the WCF will begin on Sunday in St Louis.)
And don’t forget to vote for Pavelski!
- AP: Sharks hope home ice works for game 7
- Down Goes Brown: History of Sharks playoff heart ache
- NBC: Series should come down to game 7
- NBC: Nieto out, Wingels in?
- NBC: Game 7 officials
- Postmedia: Sharks facing first elimination game (of this postseason)
- Postmedia: Preds hungry to prove they deserve deep playoffs
- USA Today: Who wins game 7?
- CBC preview
- Puck Daddy preview
- Puck Daddy: Ward, Martin try to shift narrative
- Sharks: Thrilling moments in game 7 history
- SJMN: Will SAP Center be a safe haven for game 7?
- SJMN Purdy: Sharks will survive and win game 7
- SJMN WTC: Karlsson promoted, Wingels in (Nieto out)
- SJMN: All time stats, results for game 7
- SJMN: Sharks confident heading into game 7
- SJMN Purdy: Will early start time impact attendance?
- SJMN Purdy: Thornton looking for first Stanley Cup Final
- SJMN: Nieto out; team loose heading into game 7
- Gackle: What role will the Sharks “Big Guys” have in game 7?
- Gackle: Sharks believe Tank provides home ice advantage for Sharks
- Gackle: Nieto out; Spaling acquisition could be big help
- Chron: Sharks game 7 history
- Chron preview
Predator-centric articles are left to the reader to discover.