Joel Ward’s tie-breaking goal at 11:49 of the third enabled the Sharks to rally for a 5-2 win over Nashville at SAP Center on Friday night.
Ward’s fourth career game-winning goal in the playoffs enabled San Jose to take a 1-0 lead in its best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series against the Predators.
Game 2 is Sunday at SAP Center.
Ward took a lead pass from rookie left wing Joonas Donskoi to break in alone after the Sharks forced a turnover at center. Ward drove in close to Pekka Rinne, waited for the Nashville goalie to commit, then slid behind on the forehand before tucking the puck over the goal line on the backhand.