~ (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Nashville’s Colin Wilson 33 celebrates after scoring on San Jose goalie Martin Jones in the third period of game six

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ Viktor could not have chosen a better time to score his first career playoff goal, as he lifted his team from elimination to Game 7 Monday, in a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks.

The third period buzzer conjured up thoughts of another extended overtime, but Arvidsson capped the game 2:03 beyond regulation as he went top shelf. Goalie Pekka Rinne and Miikka Salomaki had the assists. Melker Karlsson could not handle the puck at the blue line and Marc-Edouard Vlasic could not get enough of the stick on the puck to create a stop.

With the series tied 3-3, the Predators are in a familiar place, having won Game 6 after being down in their last series. Meanwhile, the Sharks have already played a game more than their last series, and both teams a lot more so, considering the triple overtime game. With no more room for losing though, both teams will need to give it their all if they hope to advance to the third round of the playoffs.

San Jose had a 2-0 lead in the first, but the lead lasted less than half a period.

Nashville both outshot (32-18) and outhit (39-23) the Sharks by a margin of 16. They were outshot 14-4 in the second and 11-5 in the third.

The Sharks’ Chris Tierney scored two goals less than two minutes apart. It was the first time in his career with a two-goal game.

Goal one came at 9:55. Vlasic shot at net from the left point and Tierney deflected the puck, as he moved to the center of the left faceoff circle. The goal went under video review to see if it deflected under the crossbar, but the call on the ice stood. Tomas Hertl had an assist.

At 11:51, Burns shot from the right point and Matt Nieto tried to put the puck in off the deflection. Then Tierney raced in from the other side to put the rebound in behind Rinne, who was facing the opposite way.

Roman Josi cut the lead in half at 15:27. The Predators got the puck in neutral zone and Josi’s shot made it bounce funny as it went in above Jones’ head.

Vlasic and Craig Smith were called for roughing at 19:45, setting up a 4-on-4.

Ryan Johansen, who had two chances, capitalized to tie the game at 1:25 of the second, during the continuation of the 4-on-4. During his first chance, he lost the puck to Logan Couture. Second time around, after a pass from Ryan Ellis, Johansen faked a shot in front of Justin Braun and then went around him to shoot right before Couture caught up with him.

Couture put San Jose back up with the game’s only power play goal at 10:04 of the third. He was aided by Burns and Thornton.

Wilson re-tied the game though, less than three minutes later. He was helped by James Neal and Mike Ribeiro.

Game notes: If the home team winning trend continues, the Sharks are in luck. Both teams head back to SAP Center Thursday, time TBA, for a pivotal Game 7.