from Mark Purdy of the Mercury News,

As the Sharks and Nashville Predators entered the third overtime period, only one thing was certain. Whichever team lost was in danger of a mental letdown heavier than the heaviest pickup truck cruising Broadway in front of all the honky-tonks here.

The Sharks lost.

So instead of taking a 3-1 lead in the series back to San Jose for Game 5 on Saturday night, the two teams are tied at two victories each. That's a huge difference.

"We'd like to be up, but it is what it is," said Sharks' goalie Martin Jones, who was brilliant in stopping 18 overtime shots--including a save on one breakaway attempt that was a hold-your-breath moment.

"Nothing we can do now but move on to the next one," Jones said.

"We had so many chances," said Sharks center Logan Couture, who insisted he and his teammates could avoid that mental letdown and shake off the 4-3 loss to the Predators after five hours of intense rushes, gutsy shot blocking, multiple lead changes, world class goalie play and frustration.

Especially for the Sharks, frustration.

continued

Watch the game highlights below...