Joel Ward sparks Sharks' offence in Game 1 win over Predators

Joel Ward scored the tiebreaking goal against his former team with 8:11 remaining in regulation to help the San Jose Sharks rally past the Nashville Predators 5-2 on Friday night in Game 1 of their second-round series.

Ward also set up Tomas Hertl's power-play goal that tied the game earlier in the period before scoring one of his own to help San Jose win its first playoff game when trailing after two periods since 2011.

Logan Couture added a power-play goal and an empty-netter, before Tommy Wingels sealed it with another empty-net goal as the Sharks showed some rust after having six days off since beating Los Angeles in five games in the first round. Martin Jones made 29 saves Mike Fisher and Ryan Johansen scored for the Predators, who had only one day off after beating Anaheim in Game 7 of the first round. Pekka Rinne made 33 saves.