Sharks outlast Predators in key Western Conference matchup

Macklin Celebrini scored two goals and the visiting San Jose Sharks held on for a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators on Monday night.

Igor Chernyshov had a goal and an assist for the Sharks (38-34-8, 84), who have two games remaining and kept their slim Stanley Cup playoff hopes alive. Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves.

Luke Evangelista scored two goals for the Predators (38-33-10, 86 points), who have one game remaining, against Anaheim on Thursday. Ryan Ufko had two assists, and Justus Annunen made 20 saves.

Both teams will be eliminated from playoff contention if the Los Angeles Kings win Monday night.

Evangelista pulled the Predators within 2-1 at 15:39 of the third period. A perfect pass from Nick Perbix sent Evangelista in behind the defender and he beat Nedeljkovic with a wrist shot into the short-side top corner.

The Predators pulled Annunen and the Sharks nearly bungled a 3-on-1 rush before Celebrini scored into an empty net at 18:15 to make it 3-1.

With Annunen pulled again, Ufko's shot deflected in off Evangelista at 18:50 to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Sharks converted their only power-play opportunity; the Predators were 0-for-1.

San Jose outshot Nashville 11-6 in a scoreless first period.

Chernyshov gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 9:53 of the second period. William Eklund got a rebound in the slot and passed to Chernyshov for a one-timer from the left face-off dot.

Celebrini made it 2-0 at 3:04 of the third period. After a disputed icing call forced a face-off in the Nashville end, the Predators cleared the zone, but Will Smith took the puck away and passed to Cheryshov, who skated down into the left circle, pulled up to draw the defender over and passed to Celebrini, who scored on a one-timer from the slot.

Nashville's Filip Forsberg hit the post with about 14 minutes remaining.

--Field Level Media