The San Jose Sharks were hoping to head home with a series win, but due to the resiliency of the Nashville Predators, the Sharks are returning to the SAP Center for Game 7.
San Jose wasted two separate leads in Monday's Game 6 loss, and the team has no choice but to bounce back if it wants to continue playing.
"They were stronger than us, that was the issue," forward Logan Couture said postgame, according to Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News. "They were winning more puck battles down low at their end, at the blue lines. They pinched, and we weren't strong enough on the boards to get it out."
The Sharks were outshot 32-18 in the contest, but appeared bound for the Western Conference finals when Couture scored with 9:56 left in regulation.
Their effort wasn't enough, though, so now the pressure has shifted on the Sharks to seal the deal on home ice.
"We had some chances, we could have won the game," head coach Peter DeBoer said. "They did a little bit more than us tonight, but we have a Game 7 at home, which is what we play for all season."
The Predators, who erased a 3-2 deficit and won Game 7 on the road in the first round over the Anaheim Ducks, will have a chance to do the same Thursday night in San Jose.
