NHL playoffs 2016: Who wins Sharks, Predators Game 7?

The Nashville Predators are aiming for their first Western Conference Final appearance in their 17-year history, while the San Jose Sharks look to return for the first time since 2011. Is this the Sharks' core's best chance at winning the Stanley Cup? Not if the resilient Predators have anything to say about it.

Paste BN Sports' NHL staff makes its Game 7 predictions:

Kevin Allen: Predators 2, Sharks 0. I picked the Sharks to win this series, but it feels as if the Predators have been the better team in the six games.  They have won two overtime games. The Predators seem like the team of destiny.

Kristen Shilton: Predators 4, Sharks 3. Is San Jose the better overall team in this matchup? Yes. Yet Nashville has shown tremendous resiliency with their backs against wall in these playoffs. Home ice has been kind to the Sharks in the postseason, but in a game where everything is on the line, that bend-don't-break mentality can lift Nashville to a win.

Jimmy Hascup: Sharks 3, Predators 2. For as well as they’ve played at even strength — leading in shot attempts, shots, scoring (and high danger) chances — they have scored 12 goals, compared to 15 for Nashville. That will pay off now, and Tomas Hertl will be rewarded for constantly getting to the net and creating chances (he leads all players in scoring chances, according to war-on-ice.com).

Mike Brehm: Sharks 3, Predators 1. History says they won’t come through and recent history says the Predators can win a Game 7 on the road. But the Shark Tank is a formidable place again after San Jose had a sub-.500 record there in the regular season. San Jose can find the magic once again.