SAN JOSE -- The Sharks boarded a plane and headed back to the Bay Area on Friday morning, eager to put their heartbreaking triple overtime loss to the Nashville Predators just a few hours earlier in the rear view mirror.
At this stage, they really have no choice. The Sharks host the Predators in a pivotal Game 5 of their second round playoff series Saturday night at SAP Center. Win, and the Sharks can close out the Predators on Monday and advance to the Western Conference final. Lose, and they face the prospect of elimination for the first time this postseason.