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The Sharks were outshot 39-25, out-hit 46-26 and spent a lot more time in their own end than winning teams normally do, but in the playoffs statistics mean nothing, wins do.

And San Jose has two more than Nashville.

Their big names stepped up again. Logan Couture made it 1-0, Joe Pavelski made it 2-1 with 2:40 left in regulation and Joe Thornton adding an empty netter that turned out to be the winner when Nashville scored with three seconds left.

“It felt good, it really did,” said Pavelski, who has six goals in seven playoff games. “I don’t think it was our line’s best game….but there’s three minutes left, it’s tied and you’re hoping for a chance.”

And he got it.

“That’s why they are the players that they are,” said centre Nick Spaling. “When they don’t have their game, they find a way, in those moments where you need someone to step up. It’s fun to watch. It’s amazing they can step up like that when they’re not at their best.”

The Sharks, who had the best road record in the NHL’s regular season and won all three games in Los Angeles to close out the Kings in five games, now head out to Nashville with designs on wrapping this thing up quickly.

“It’s good knowing that we have that, but it doesn’t guarantee anything,” said Pavelski.

“We understand the series is only going to get tougher. Those guys get to go home after being on the road for a bit. We have to pick up our desperation and play a better game than we did today.”

The Preds, who took a 2-0 lead over Anaheim in their first round series, are now in the rather uncomfortable position of trying to play catch up against a team that’s 6-1 in the playoffs.