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Nabokov, Sharks set to host Predators

Feb 9, 2008 - 1:02 PM Nashville (28-21-6) at San Jose (30-17-7) 10:00 pm EST

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) - The San Jose Sharks have leaned on Evgeni Nabokov all season.

Even though he has started the previous 10 games, there's no reason to expect that Nabokov will get a day off Saturday when the Sharks host the Nashville Predators.

Nabokov, who has started 53 of San Jose's 54 contests and leads the league with 30 wins, made 31 saves in Friday's 2-1 overtime triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"The only reason we got two points is because of Nabby," Sharks coach Ron Wilson said of Friday's game. "He was unbelievable. We got thoroughly outplayed, but we found a way to get that extra point."

San Jose is tied with the Anaheim Ducks for second place in the Pacific Division and sits just four points behind the division-leading Dallas Stars.

While the Sharks are in a dog fight in their division, the Predators have virtual no chance of catching the Detroit Red Wings in the Central Division. Nashville sits 24 points back of Detroit but does maintain a two-point edge over Columbus for second.

The Predators had a three-game winning streak snapped Thursday with a 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Nashville is 7-2-2 over its last 11 contests and has allowed just 20 goals over that stretch.