The San Jose Sharks bounced back from a tough overtime loss in game 4 with a convincing 5-1 drubbing of the Nashville Predators in Game 5.
The Sharks lead the best-of-7 series 3-2 and can return to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2011 with one more win.
Joe Pavelski scored two goals, Martin Jones made 24 saves. Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau and Melker Karlsson added goals of their own. Rookie Joonas Donskoi added two helpers and was the catalyst of the offensive explosion.
San Jose can close the series out in game 6 back at Bridgestone Arena on Monday.
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Thought and opines...
- Head coach Pete DeBoer Juggled his bottom three lines. His biggest and best move was shifting Marleau from third-line center to second-line left wing with Donskoi and Couture. That line became an instant three-man offensive wrecking crew and the Preds simply had no answer for them.
I'm giving Joonas some more love here.
I have been so impressed with Donskoi's ability to maintain control of the puck, especially in the last few games He has fantastic hands, a keen hockey sense and the only word I want to use when describing him is "slippery." What a terrific job of scouting by the Sharks. If you'll recall, this guy was drafted by Florida, went unsigned, left to go play overseas before San Jose signed him as a free-agent.
Brilliant.
- For the first time all series, the Sharks were the aggressors. They were much more physical long the boards and they beat Nashville to most of the loose pucks. The Sharks D is using the cross-ice stretch pass to wear down the Preds defense and it's opening up the ice. San Jose is making it a point to throw the body early and often and IMO the Ducks series is starting to catch up with Nashville, especially with even big hit they take.
- Martin Jones was solid once again, making several key stops while the game was still close enough for the Preds to make it interesting. Jones is now 7-3 with a 2.20 GAA and .917 sv% in his 10 postseason starts. If there was any doubt if he could be a reliable playoff goalie I would imagine that's all been erased by now.
- As far as Joe Pavelski is concerned....what can I say? The Sharks captain is playing like the teams best player. He's tied for the NHL lead in goals this Spring with 8 and he's only getting stronger with each game. He was awesome last night. He kept finding seems in the Nashville defense and exploiting them. He led his team in goals, (2), shots on goals (6) and hits (7). That is the definition of leading by example.
- San Jose has no answer for the Colin Wilson, James Neal and Mike Fisher line. They are chewing up the Sharks D (*cough* Vlasic *cough*). That line has combined for seven goals and six assists since being reunited in Game 3. Now all the Preds need is three more lines just like that one and they'll be golden.
- The fourth game is always the hardest game to win and with the game shifting back to Nashville I fully expect the crowd to be a factor. Will the Sharks pull and Anaheim and wilt in games 6 and 7? Or will they continue to play like a team of destiny and end it ASAP?
- Brent Burns, Couture, Marleau and Pavelski have score 20 of the Sharks 33 goals in the playoffs. #BestOfTheBest
Thanks for reading, Steve Follow me on Twitter: @Faultlinehockey