4. LINE DANCING
The Sharks have been remarkably consistent with their line combinations this postseason. The same 12 forwards have played in each of San Jose's eight games and, for the most part, have played on the same lines. In the third period of Game 3, DeBoer changed lines a bit more aggressively. He said he was looking for a spark and that the Sharks were dealing with equipment-related issues and minor injuries.
Wednesday, he said San Jose is dealing with some bumps and bruises.
So is this first game we see new personnel? Or different lines?
The Sharks aren't spending too much time thinking about it.
"I think we're all confident in the 14 forwards, eight [defensemen] and two goalies that we have," second-line center Logan Couture said. "Whatever combination that goes out there on the ice, we're confident in. Obviously it's been the same lineup every game, but if it changes, we're still going to be confident.
"There's been some changes throughout games. That sometimes is needed, unfortunately, if guys aren't going. We'll see what happens next game."
5. CHESS MATCH
The Sharks and Predators have faced each other for 180 minutes in the past week. They know each other's tendencies and have identified strengths and weaknesses.
Now, the game planning begins to expose weaknesses and avoid strengths.
Nashville has adjusted its penalty kill to play a bit more aggressively as the series has gone on. Predators coach Peter Laviolette has taken out veteran Mike Ribeiro and replaced him with speedy rookie Pontus Aberg. He has tried to match his top line, centered by Ryan Johansen, against the Couture line in Nashville, something he could not do when the Sharks had the last change for the first two games.
More adjustments will come in Game 4.
"We're just doing things that I think we need to do to be successful," Laviolette said. "I think you try to do your best to calculate the moves you make and whether they are good moves or not good moves, and then eventually you have to make a decision and go with it and hope it is the right move."