SAN JOSE -- Another setback last Saturday for the Sharks - once again - playing down to the level of their competition.
As San Jose wind down its season having secured home ice for the upcoming playoffs, the Sharks still have their sights on second place in the Western Conference.
After a big win against the LA Kings on Thursday, the Sharks had a letdown, losing to the Nashville Predators 3-0.
Patric Hornqvist scored two goals for the visitors and Team Teal failed to gain valuable ground on the Ducks.
Said coach Todd McClellan after the loss, "It's the time of year where you can't have baggage. When you look at this game maybe we took some positive baggage from the LA game. The emotional win there and the big game and we didn't have the same emotional attachment until the third (period) as we did against LA."
Roman Josi netted the insurance goal skating in and beating Antti Niemi on a backhand in the paint on a play where the Sharks netminder probably should have made the save.
However, give the Predators credit, they've registered points in seven of their last eight games including a three-game win streak. But it's unlikely they'll make the playoffs having to chase both Phoenix and Dallas.
Through the first two periods, San Jose didn't generate many shots and as a result, not many grade-A scoring chances either. A few shots hit the post which only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Raffi Torres didn't play again for the Sharks and coach Todd McClellan will allow for the three day break before the big game at the Honda Center in the final regular season matchup against the Ducks. All indications are that McClellan will rest Torres for the playoffs.
You may recall Torres had surgery on his ACL and the Sharks are simply lacking that sense of urgency, particularly in this game. San Jose seemed to be on auto pilot. Not playing poorly but certainly not doing enough to want to win the game either.
One battle the Predators won was in the faceoff circle where Nashville had 57 percent of the draws. The Sharks also committed 20 giveaways compared to six for the Preds.
Game highlights
Contenders
Patric Hornqvist - two goals and an assist, doing his best to be in the right place at the right time.
Carter Hutton - not a spectacular game but still, the first career shutout for the Nashville goalie. He made a nice save on a breakaway attempt by Brent Burns. Hutton was once in the Sharks minor league organization playing for Worchester.
Pretenders
Patrick Marleau - a minus-3 for the assistant captain.
Antti Niemi - only 14 saves allowing three goals. He wasn't helped much by his defense on two of the three goals either but like a pitcher in baseball, the win-loss record is pinned on him.
The big showdown is coming up on Wednesday as the Sharks and Ducks meet for the final time in the regular season. The Sharks are three points back in the standings with three games to play for both teams.