Saros, Predators defeat Kraken in shootout, keep pace in West wild card

NASHVILLE -- Juuse Saros made 27 saves and did not allow a goal in the shootout, and the Nashville Predators defeated the Seattle Kraken 2-1 at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

"We've had great goaltending all year long," Predators coach John Hynes said. "[Saros] is playing really well. … You need good goaltending to win. You look at any team that's in the playoffs. It's one of the most important positions in the game. When you have solid goaltending, it gives you a chance every night."

Kiefer Sherwood scored for the Predators (36-26-8), who are 5-2-1 in their past eight games.
Nashville remained five points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference with three games in hand. The Jets defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on Thursday.
Daniel Sprong scored, and Joey Daccord made 23 saves for the Kraken (39-24-8), who play at the Predators again Saturday.
Seattle is one point ahead of Winnipeg for the first wild card in the West with two games in hand.
"It came down to the shootout," Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. "Unfortunately, we didn't get the extra point, but we've got to turn the page quickly and look at a couple of areas to be a little bit better in, and pretty much expect a very similar game on Saturday afternoon. These two teams are going to be fighting hard for points on Saturday afternoon."

Sprong gave the Kraken a 1-0 lead at 2:28 of the first period, scoring from behind the goal line. It appeared he would carry Morgan Geekie's pass around the net for a wraparound attempt but banked the puck off Saros' right skate instead.
"I think [Sprong], we have come chemistry playing with each other through the years," Geekie said. "I know he's got a great shot and is good in the offensive zone, good mind. I just try to give him pucks in good spots and use my skillset to kind of work off that and create opportunities for other guys."
Sherwood tied it 1-1 at 14:01 of the second period. Daccord made an initial save on a slap shot from Tyson Barrie, but the long rebound went to Sherwood, who scored from the left face-off dot.
"Yeah, all we can do is continue to play hard like we are and win hockey games, kind of let the chips fall where they may," Barrie said. "We're proud of the work we're putting in here, and you never know where it can take you."

Matt Duchene, who has scored on five of seven shootout attempts this season, and Philip Tomasino scored in the tiebreaker for Nashville.
"You've got to expect to score on those," Duchene said. "They're huge, especially now, we're getting in a lot of shootout games. Obviously some 5-on-5 scoring has been hard to come by at times for us, but those are huge plays. … [Saros] is always outstanding, so us as shooters have to pull our weight."
Seattle has gone to overtime or shootout in four of its past six games, and six of 11.
"I thought for the most part we played good hockey," Kraken forward Jordan Eberle said. "We had our looks offensively. We just couldn't capitalize. It was just a good game. That's what playoff hockey is like."
NOTES: The Kraken, who hadn't lost on the road since Feb. 20 (4-1 at the San Jose Sharks), also won six straight road games Nov. 1-29. They are 23-9-4 away from home this season. … Nashville is 14-4-3 against Pacific Division teams. … Hynes said defenseman Roman Josi, who has missed three games with an upper-body injury, is day to day. … The Kraken tied the 1973-74 New York Islanders and 1925-26 Boston Bruins, who each had a 26-point increase from their inaugural season to their second season. The Kraken were 27-49-6 for 60 points last season.