Johansen, Predators defeat Sharks in OT, keep pace in West wild card

NASHVILLE --Ryan Johansen scored with 1:42 remaining in overtime to give the Nashville Predators a 1-0 win against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

Mattias Ekholm circled out of the offensive zone before skating back in with speed on the right side and dropped a pass to Johansen. Ekholm then headed to the net, and Johansen's centering pass deflected off Kahkonen into the net.
"We're wearing them down throughout the game, spent a lot of time in the [offensive] zone and we figured we'd get a break if we kept going," Johansen said. "Got a lucky bounce there at the end, and we'll take it."
Juuse Saros made 25 saves for his fourth shutout of the season for the Predators (42-26-5), who swept the season series 3-0-0 (Sharks 0-2-1).
Nashville remained one point ahead of the Dallas Stars for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Dallas defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 1-0 on Tuesday.
"[Saros] had some timely saves tonight, for sure," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "That's what happens sometimes where you're pressing a little bit to try to be able to score, and that's an area where we can do a little better job. [Saros] came up with some key saves at key times for us. That's what makes him the quality goaltender that he is. He gives you a chance every night."
Kaapo Kahkonen made 40 saves for the Sharks (29-33-10), who have lost seven straight (0-5-2).
"Good road game," Kahkonen said. "We battled hard and we didn't step back. We did a lot of good things. We were in the game all game, just tough result again. But I think a lot of good things for being on the road and playing a good team.
"The guys did a good job blocking shots and boxing out. That's what you've got to do this time of year, especially moving forward. Those things are huge and eventually will lead to success."

Filip Forsberg appeared to give the Predators a 1-0 lead at 13:29 of the second period when he tipped Roman Josi's shot past Kahkonen, but the Sharks challenged for offside, and a video review determined Matt Duchene preceded the puck into the offensive zone prior to the goal.
Colton Sissons hit the post to Kahkonen's glove side at 7:12 of the second with a shot from the slot, and Forsberg hit the post at 16:59.
"I really liked our team's game tonight," Hynes said. "I thought we came ready to play, played the game the right way. Credit to San Jose. They battled. They played hard. They didn't make it an easy night. I thought overall, in general, this style of play gives us the best chance to win night in and night out.
"It's an easy game where you feel like things [might be] going to go off the rails. Guys can press, guys can get frustrated … Between periods, what we talked about was solutions and staying with it. I'm just proud of the guys for sticking with it and certainly feel like they deserved the two points."

The Sharks have scored 13 goals in their past seven games.
"We talk about this all the time," San Jose coach Bob Boughner said. "It's trying to get some bounces, trying to get a little puck luck, trying to get more shot volume to try and produce some more offense because it's very hard, as you can see, winning hockey games when the puck's not going in."
NOTES: Saros won his NHL-leading 36th game of the season. He has 18 shutouts in the NHL. … Johansen has scored 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 29 games against the Sharks. … Forsberg had an assist and has scored 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 21 games against the Sharks … It was the 500th home win for the Predators.