Predators top Sharks to snap four-game skid
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Ryan Johansen, James Neal and Viktor Arvidsson scored, backup goaltender Juuse Saros made 25 saves and the Nashville Predators ended their season-long, four-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.
The Predators (33-24-11) maintained their hold on third place in the Central Division with 77 points.
Martin Jones made 22 saves and Paul Martin scored for the Sharks (40-20-7).
San Jose (87 points) remains seven points ahead of Anaheim, atop the Pacific Division.
Martin gave San Jose a 1-0 lead at 6:18 of the first period, beating Saros with a slap shot from near the blue line after Joe Thornton won a faceoff.
Nashville pulled even at 12:10 of the opening period on Johansen's 11th goal of the season. He tracked down a loose puck in the left circle, skated toward the slot and sent a wrist shot inside the left post.
Neal put Nashville ahead 2-1 with his 19th goal of the season at 10:08 of the second. Colin Wilson sent a pass from below the goal line to Neal, who beat Jones from close range.
Arvidsson scored a short-handed goal into an empty net with 1:02 left to play, making it 3-1.
NOTES: Predators LW PA Parenteau made his Nashville debut, 10 days after being acquired from the New Jersey Devils in a trade. Parenteau, who skated on the second line, missed the previous four games with an injured finger. ... Sharks D David Schlemko missed his fourth straight game with a lower body injury and remains day-to-day. ... Predators D Ryan Ellis returned to the lineup after missing one game with a lower body injury. ... Predators C Vernon Fiddler (upper body) missed his second straight game. ... Sharks LW Marcus Sorensen was a healthy scratch for the second straight game.