Predators vow better effort in Game 6 as Sharks look to close

Peter Laviolette and the Nashville Predators are still upset about the team’s Game 5 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

After that contest Laviolette was short in his answers. His anger in his postgame press conference was clear and obvious. The coach’s team wasn’t ready for the Sharks in their 5-1 loss, and Laviolette fully expects at least a better effort from Nashville in Monday’s Game 6 at home.

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While this won’t guarantee a victory, it would at least give the Predators a chance to prolong their series to another Game 7. The Sharks lead the series 3-2. 

"We've got to change our game and our attitude from Game 5 to Game 6 to be in a better place,” Laviolette said. “Knowing our guys, I'm sure they'll do that tonight. But we've got a lot of work to do to dig out of a hole that we're in and the situation that we're in."

The Predators have been in this spot before, at home facing elimination against a favored opponent. In Game 6 of their last series against the Anaheim Ducks, the Predators won 3-2 then closed out Anaheim in Game 7 in Southern California. This postseason, San Jose is already 1-for-1 in games where they can eliminate an opponent.

They beat the Los Angeles Kings in Game 5 on the road, a contest where they blew a three-goal lead only to eventually win by three. The Sharks have said this is a different group than teams that have seen past playoff disappointments. Game 6 is a chance to again prove any doubters wrong.

“I think every game we’re getting a little bit better, getting more contributions, playing better as a team,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. ”We’ve got to carry that into Game 6, because they’re not going to roll over. We know that.” 

After the Sharks lost Game 4 in triple-overtime, the team said they actually found their groove during the extra session. The Sharks were up 2-1 heading into Game 4, but really hadn’t shown the same attacking all-around type play they used to dominate the Kings.

They rolled this momentum over into Game 5 and believe they can do so again in Game 6.

“As we got to Game 4 here, the overtime game, I think we were playing some of our better hockey and creating opportunities and chances, just couldn’t find the back of the net,” defenseman Paul Martin said according to CSN Bay Area. “I think that carried into last game.”

That game, captain Joe Pavelski and linemate Joe Thornton rediscovered their scoring ways after the two were locked down for two straight games. Both had one point between them in the Sharks’ two losses. In Game 5 they hooked up for two goals, both by Pavelski.

“That’s what we’re supposed to do. We’re supposed to go out and contribute offensively and score goals and play well,” said forward Logan Couture after scoring one goal in Game 5. “When we’re winning games, most nights the big guys are contributing. That’s just expected.”

For Nashville, the key to stopping San Jose’s improving attack relies on goaltender Pekka Rinne. Before Game 5, Rinne was consistently solid for the Predators with a .933 save percentage in Games 1-4. In Game 5 he stopped just 23 of 27 shots on goal.

If San Jose’s offense stays hot and figures out Rinne again, the Sharks will be on their way to their first conference final since 2011. If the Predators win, they’ll be in unchartered waters as a franchise. The organization has never played longer than six games in a second-round series.  

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper