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Sharks blow lead, fall in OT to Preds
By Morris Phillips November 5, 2011 |
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So much for slow starts, after the Sharks overtime loss to Nashville, Todd McLellan's bunch needs greater focus on faster finishes. The Sharks took a 3-1 lead less than a minute into the third period, then watched it evaporate in just over five minutes of ice time. Nashville's Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Suter contributed goals three minutes apart to get the Preds even. David Legwand slammed home a crossing pass from Francis Bouillon to win it at 2:53 in overtime. The Sharks were looking to extend their early-season surge with an eighth win in nine games, but instead had to settle for a point in their first overtime loss of the season. Nashville moved ahead of the Sharks in the Western Conference standings with their fifth road win in eight outings. McLellan's public criticism of goalie Antti Niemi and the team for their unfocused start on Thursday against the Penquins figured to extract the desired effect, and 18 shots on goal in a scoreless opening period showed that Niemi and the Sharks digested the message. Nashville struck first in the second, but the Sharks answered with three unanswered goals from Joe Pavelski, Martin Havlat (his first as a Shark) and Logan Couture at the beginning of the third. The Sharks had opportunities to regain the lead in the final minutes but couldn't take advantage of a power play spanning the end of the third period and the first minute of overtime. Niemi finished what he started this time turning away 31 of 35 shots. The Sharks continue their lengthy home stand on Monday when their 2010 first round playoff opponent, the Los Angeles Kings, visit HP Pavilion. |
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