Sharks vs Preds Preview

What the hell, Sharks?!," is a phrase most likely muttered by many Sharks fans after the absolute turd that was dropped last night in Texas. San Jose came out looking slow, tired, and CHL team like. And Dallas, who aren't exactly world beaters, came out and beat the living piss out of the league's 7th best team. But San Jose has no time to lick their wounds, as San Jose travel to the Music City today for a showdown against the Nashville Predators, a team that has relatively underachievied this year. This game is of upmost importance, for multiple reasons. San Jose's grip over the Pacific division has collapsed over the past 5 games. They've lost 5 straight and opened the door for Anaheim to tie them in the Pacific, while the Oilers are only 2 points behind. Not only is this game important for the standings, but also for morale. Losing 5 straight, and the 5th game being a blowout, must be damaging to the morale of the team. It's up to PDB to ready his troops for today's game, or San Jose risks embarrassment. Again.

 

Know thy enemy: Nashville Predators. 1st WC spot.

Last Ten Games: 5-3-2

Playoffs?: Nashville is essentially locked into the WC, with Calgary one point away, and LA 8 points away. The only thing they're truly fighting for is the 3rd seed in the Central, which is held by the noted Shark killers St Louis Blues.

The scoop: After the splashy offseason aquiration of P.K Subban, Nashville has underachievied, slugging their way through the season, showing minimal improvement from last year. This is rather odd, as Nashville's stats don't show anything really mediocre. They have a 11th ranked PP (20%) and a middle of the pack PK (18th, 80.4%). Is it a problem with the 5v5? No, not quite. Nashville is 10th in 5v5 GF% (52.8%) and 11th in GA60 (2.18). Bad luck isn't a factor, as Nashville is 12th in PDO (100.4). However, the individual stats of the Preds is a bit more telling. James Neal (64 GP, 21-17-38), Colin Wilson (63 GP, 12-19-31), PK Subban (57 GP, 8-27-35), and PA Parentenu (63 GP, 13-14-27) have all struggled this year, on top of the injuries these players have sustained. But a problem in the blue crease exists as well. Pekka Rinne's struggles have been well documented this year (29-16-8, 2.49 GAA, .916%), and the success of the Preds depends on Pekka. It's been an odd season in Nashville.

Da Fenwicks: San Jose (52.72%) > Nashville (50.89%). San Jose can into Fenwicks!