Predators beat Sharks in OT

The San Jose Sharks have to be grateful February is the shortest month.

San Jose remained without a win this month, losing 1-0 in overtime to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

The Sharks are 0-3-3 in February after winning all seven of their January games.

"We have to find a way to get over the hump, get one by some goaltenders and find some wins here," San Jose coach Todd McLellan said.

Nashville's Colin Wilson tipped Ryan Ellis' shot from the blue line past San Jose goalie Antti Niemi 2:08 in OT.

Ellis carried into the Sharks' zone as Wilson headed toward the net. He deflected the puck, sending it slowly through Niemi, and his second try to put it in wasn't needed as it trickled inside the right post.

"I just saw [Ellis] had it so I drove the middle and he took a shot," Wilson said. "I got the tip on it and it just kind of squeaked behind him."

It doesn't get any easier for the Sharks, who next make two visits to play the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks sandwiched around a game at the St. Louis Blues. Their six-game road trip ends at the Dallas Stars on Feb. 23.

Nashville ended a two-game losing streak which came after a four-game win streak. The Predators went a franchise record 176:18 between goals, scoring against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday before being shut out by Chicago on Sunday.

Pekka Rinne made 25 saves for his second shutout in his past four games. He defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 on Feb. 7.

"I though the third period we were the better team and I think that momentum kind of carried us to the overtime," Rinne said. "Obviously, it was great to see that (goal) go in."

The Predators were outshot 13-3 in the first period, drawing the ire of coach Barry Trotz.

"Trotzy kind of woke us up between the periods," Rinne said. "We deserved that. We didn't really play well. But we responded well and the guys played really well in the second and third."

Gabriel Bourque preserved Rinne's shutout a minute into overtime. Rinne made a save on Joe Pavelski, then one on Patrick Marleau that had the goalie sprawled on his belly when the puck dribbled past his skate behind him in the crease. Bourque cleared the puck to push the game to the shootout.

Niemi also made 25 saves. He and the Sharks lost a 1-0 shootout to the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday.

Tuesday, San Jose's power play went 0-for-6, making it 1-for-22 over five games.

The Sharks lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 on Monday. During their slide, they have lost twice in a shootout, once in overtime, and once by a goal in regulation.

"Besides the Columbus game, we've been right there," Pavelski said. "We just have to find ways to get one or two or three. With the numbers we are pitching and the ways our goalies are playing, we can win with those numbers."

Team media and wire services were used in this report.