Sharks lose to Predators, fail to clinch playoff berth

NASHVILLE --The San Jose Sharks failed to clinch a Stanley Cup Playoff berth, losing to the Nashville Predators 5-3 at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.
Viktor Arvidsson had a goal and an assist, Filip Forsberg had three assists, and Juuse Saros made 39 saves for the Predators (50-16-11), who lead the NHL with 111 points and passed their previous points record set in 2006-07 (110).

"It's a credit to everyone," Nashville forward Ryan Johansen said. "It's not just the players in here. The medical staff and trainers, everyone right to the top with ownership and stuff. It's a big achievement. We should be proud. We've put in a lot of hard work, and it's not an easy thing to do. That's why it hasn't been achieved yet. We'll keep trying to extend the record."
WATCH: [All Sharks vs. Predators highlights]
Mikkel Boedker had a goal and an assist, and Martin Jones made 27 saves for the Sharks (44-24-10), who are five points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for first place in the Pacific Division.
"I think we've felt all year that we can play with anybody," San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said. "I think tonight was a little bit of a testament to that. Still not playoffs and we still don't have our whole lineup out there yet, but I don't think there's any doubt that we can play with anybody else."

Saros saved Logan Couture's penalty shot at 18:07 of the third period with Nashville leading 4-3.
"I've just gotten more games under my belt and found my game," Saros said. "I'm just trying to focus on the things that I can focus on and keep it simple. Sometimes you have to go through rough times too, and it grows you."
Ryan Ellis gave the Predators a 4-3 lead at 10:06 of the third period with a slap shot that beat Jones five-hole. Nick Bonino extended the lead to 5-3 with an empty-net goal at 19:43.
Kyle Turris gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 5:26 of the first period when he scored on the rebound of a P.K. Subban shot. Couture tied it 1-1 at 6:55 on a shot from the slot, beating Saros blocker side.

"Tonight, it was definitely a really good effort," Sharks captain Joe Pavelski said. "We'd go down a goal early, guys responded well. The game kind of settled in. We had a lot of chances, they had a few chances. It was one of those games. We just didn't stick it in the net."
Arvidsson gave the Predators a 2-1 lead at 10:14. Johansen forced a turnover at the blue line, and Arvidsson scored off a give-and-go with Forsberg.
"I feel like I've found my game," Arvidsson said. "Consistency is a big part. I do it every day, and I try to work as hard as I can every day and every shift. That, and playing with great players and we're a great team, so that's a big part of it."

Brenden Dillon scored for the Sharks to tie the game 2-2 at 12:05 on a shot from the point. Craig Smith gave Nashville a 3-2 lead at 10:38 of the second period, scoring on the rebound of a shot by Ellis.
Boedker tied it 3-3 at 5:54 of the third period with a shot from the slot after a scramble in front of the net.

Goal of the game

Ellis' goal at 10:06 of the third period.

Save of the game

Saros' save on Couture's penalty shot at 18:07 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Arvidsson's goal at 10:14 of the first period.

They said it

"It was exciting. It's getting close [to the playoffs], you can tell. This is a great building to play in regardless, but you can definitely feel it's coming. The crowd here is great for sure. Guys stepped right. We were skating well, playing a physical game, getting inside and creating chances. It was right there for us, for sure." -- Sharks captain Joe Pavelski
"We started the year with one goal, and that was to make the playoffs. Once we nailed that off, now we want to finish as high as we can. Obviously, the best regular season in Preds history is a good way to do it, but at the same time, we just want to get to the playoffs on the right note." -- Predators forward Filip Forsberg

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Need to know

Nashville forward
Eeli Tolvanen
did not play after
signing an entry-level contract Thursday
; he could make his debut Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. … Couture has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his past nine games. … Ellis has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past three games.

What's next

Sharks: At the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET; ATTSN-RM, NBCSCA NHL.TV)
Predators: Host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; FS-TN, MSG-B, NHL.TV)