Off-Ecke » me point this week about whats at stake. A few years ago

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- After ending their first road trip with a dud in Detroit, the San Jose Sharks have looked more like the team that won the Western Conference last season once they returned home.Joe Pavelski and Tommy Wingels scored 17 seconds apart and San Jose went on to beat the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Saturday night in a rematch of last seasons seven-game, second-round playoff series won by the Sharks.The Sharks responded from a 2/3 road trip capped by a 3-0 loss to the Red Wings by winning all three at home -- allowing just three goals in the process.That last game, I dont know if it was just a last game on the road trip type of game, but we werent very good, forward Logan Couture said. I figured when we got home wed play a little bit better.That didnt happen last season when San Jose had the leagues top road record but lost more regular season home games than any playoff team. The Sharks are changing that script early this season with four straight home wins at the start.I know weve struggled in this building for whatever reason, Wingels said. No excuses. Is it nice to have a different effort and a different result this year? Absolutely. Were going to build on it, and try to string five, six, or seven in a row.Joonas Donskoi also scored and Joe Thornton added an empty-netter as the Sharks picked up where they left off last spring from that all-home team series against the Predators. Martin Jones made 27 saves to help San Jose finish off the 3-0 homestand.James Neal scored the lone goal for the struggling Predators. Nashville has lost six of its last seven games and is winless in five road contests this season. Pekka Rinne made 23 saves.We just feel like were just not playing up to our potential right now, captain Mike Fisher said. We know were a better team. When youre not getting the results its frustrating.This game turned quickly early in the second period. Jones started it when he stopped Craig Smith on a breakaway after a defensive breakdown by teammate Melker Karlsson.The Sharks then quickly drew the games first power play when Yannick Weber was called for cross checking. San Jose took just 6 seconds to cash that in for a goal when Thornton won the faceoff. Brent Burns point shot went wide off the back boards, but Pavelski knocked the rebound into the crease and it deflected off Rinne and into the net.Before the fans were even done celebrating that goal, San Jose got another fortunate bounce when David Schlemkos shot hit teammate Michael Haley and went straight to Wingels, who knocked it into the open net for his first goal of the season.The Predators finally got on the board in the final minute of the second period when Neal deflected Ryan Ellis point shot past Jones but it wasnt enough.We have to find a way to come out in these games and score the first goal and get a lead and try to build on it as opposed to always trying to chase the game from behind and never having that comfort of being up a goal, coach Peter Laviolette said. I thought we fought in the third period. Its tough coming back from being down 3-0.San Jose struck first late in the opening period after a wild shift that started with Donskoi and Joel Ward failing to put the puck in even though was caught well out of the net trying to play the puck. But the Sharks kept the pressure on and Donskoi eventually slid a rebound under Rinnes pad for the opening goal.Game notes Nashville has allowed the first goal in seven of eight games this season. ... The Sharks had their first perfect homestand of at least three games since going 5-0 in December 2014. San Jose is 4-0 overall at home after winning just four of its first 14 at the Shark Tank last season. ... San Jose has killed 19 of 20 penalties over the past six games.UP NEXTPredators: Continue a five-game road trip Tuesday night at Colorado.Sharks: Head on the road to take on Arizona on Tuesday night for the first time this season. 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Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. Wholesale Jerseys ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. MADISON, Wis. -- ?? At some point this week, Wisconsin linebacker Vince Biegel will stand up in front of his teammates and deliver a speech about what it means to beat Minnesota.There is so much more on the line this year than just Paul Bunyans Axe.Defeat the Gophers on Saturday in the annual rivalry game and the fifth-ranked Badgers can reap an even bigger reward.Whenever we play Minnesota, I feel like there (are) always implications on the line. There are a lot of story lines, obviously the axe, the border battle. I know we recruit the same type of players they recruit, Biegel, a senior, said Monday.Oh, one more prize too awaits Wisconsin (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten, No. 7 CFP) with a win.We want to represent the West (division) in the Big Ten championship game, Biegel said.Minnesota-Wisconsin has been a one-sided rivalry of late . Wisconsin has won 12 straight, the longest streak by either team in a series that dates to the 1890s.By kickoff on Saturday, the Badgers could even be in a position in which they have already clinched the West. Nebraska, which is tied with Wisconsin atop the West, would be eliminated with a loss at Iowa on Friday. If that happens, the Badgers would win the division even with a loss to Minnesota because they hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their 23-17 victory last month over the Cornhuskers.As has been the case all season though, the Badgers are showing no signs of overconfidence.Nobody wants the feeling of another team coming in here, taking that trophy from you, senior cornerback Sojourn Shelton said. I can only imagine how it would feel for Minnesota to do that.The Gophers (8-3, 5-3) are no pushovers. Two weeks ago, Minnesota played No. 17 Nebraska tough on the road before losing 24-17. Last week, Minnesota closed out its home schedule with an impressive 29-12 victory over Northwestern.ddddddddddddIts always special to play in this game, said coach Paul Chryst, a Madison native who attended Minnesota-Wisconsin games as a child and then later played for the Badgers. A lot of respect for Minnesota and the way theyre playing.As a way to remind players of the importance of retaining the axe, a Wisconsin strength coach has asked seniors to continue a tradition of giving speeches at some point this week about whats at stake. A few years ago, former Badger and current Houston Texans star J.J. Watt gave a pep talk that was shown on a big-screen television after a practice.Biegel declined to share with reporters what he would tell teammates, though the Wisconsin native offered clues. He recalls fondly how the Badgers were able to keep the axe the last time the rivalry game was played in Madison two years ago.I think the fans are invested in this as much as we are, Biegel said. Theyve got family in Minnesota. There are ties on both sides. Its a border battle. To be able to bring back the axe, protect Camp Randall ... its another special moment.Game notes NT Olive Sagapolu will miss a sixth straight game with a right arm injury. ... Wisconsin listed the following injured players as questionable: FB Austin Ramesh and OL Jacob Maxwell have right shoulder injuries, while backup LB Zack Baun has a left leg injury. ... The Badgers will honor its senior class on Saturday, with 13 players to be introduced before kickoff. They include Biegel, Shelton and 1,000-yard rusher Corey Clement.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Genaro Armas at: https://twitter.com/GArmasAP ' ' '