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Sharks try to close out first-round series vs. Predators

Apr 20, 2007 - 3:23 PM San Jose at Nashville 9:00 pm EDT Western Conference quarterfinals Sharks lead series, 3-1

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) - The San Jose Sharks are on the verge of making another appearence in the Western Conference semifinals.

The fifth-seeded Sharks can advance past the first round for the second straight season with a win Friday agsint the Nashville Predators in Game Five of their series. The Sharks took a 3-1 lead in the series with Wednesday's 3-2 home victory in Game Four. Milan Michalek tallied twice and rookie Joe Pavelski also scored.

Michalek has become San Jose's measuring stick. With goals in San Jose's two previous wins, he opened the scoring 3 1/2 minutes into the contest before capping his first career playoff multi-goal contest in the second period.

"I've been in the playoffs and I'm playing with a lot more confidence," Michalek said. "And I played a whole year with Joe (superstar Joe Thornton), so it's great. When you're on the ice with Joe, you just want to get the puck deep and get the puck to him and try to get in front of the net. Always keep your stick on the ice, because he's unbelievable."

Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo each recorded a pair of assists for the Sharks, who eliminated the Predators in the first round of the postseason in five games last season.

"There's a lot of similarities, but you still have to win four," San Jose captain Patrick Marleau said. "We are looking at a really tough team going back to Nashville. It's probably going to be the toughest game of the series for us."

Jason Arnott and Scott Hartnell both tallied for the Predators, who will try to become the 21st club in NHL history to win a best-of-seven series after trailing, 3-1.

"We're in a hole, and we know that, but you have to win four," Nashville center Peter Forsberg said. "It's a challenge, but you have to win four, and the fourth one is always the toughest one to win. Stranger things have happened, so we have to focus on the next one and not get down."

If the Predators hold home ice, the Sharks will have a chance to close out the series at home Sunday.