Joel Ward and Paul Martin try to shift Sharks' playoff narrative

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Paul Martin and Joel Ward weren’t part of the San Jose Sharks’ prior playoff struggles.

They’re aware the Sharks have a label the last 10 years as a highly skilled group that couldn’t finish off opponents in important situations. In some ways that was the draw for them last offseason when they signed here – to put San Jose over the edge in times like these.

Both are expected to play key roles in Game 7 against the Nashville Predators on Thursday at SAP Center.

“Basically it’s just not making mistakes.,” Ward said of Game 7 strategy. “There’s no Xs and Os, there’s no secret plays, there’s no trick plays, it’s just executing, working hard and limiting small details.”

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Both players have a history of excelling under pressure.

The 35-year-old Martin’s career regular season points per-game is 0.38. His career playoff points per-game is 0.45. In the regular season, the 35-year-old Ward has scored 0.44 points per-game. In the playoffs he’s averaged 0.64 points per-game.

In the postseason, there’s no time to be tentative and both Martin and Ward understand this.

“You have to come to work and set the tone early and you can’t play not to lose,” Martin said. “You have to play to win and rely on the depth we have and get four lines going and six D and goaltending and so many things. If we play a game like we played last home game we’ll be in good shape.”

While Martin’s ability to play solidly mobile defense helps, Ward has the ‘big goal’ cred to his name, which includes a 2012 series clinching OT goal against the Boston Bruins in Game 7. So far this postseason he has six points in 11 games played, while Martin has three assists in 11 games while averaging 22:49 of ice-time per-game.

This will be their first Game 7 with the Sharks this playoff.

“It’s a new day, new game, new time, new arena so it’s a whole new atmosphere,” Ward said. “It’s good to be at home for it. Just excited to get another chance at it. It’s do-or-die. It’s going to be fun.”

Added Martin, We didn’t match their desperation (in Game 6) and a lot of times we didn’t use our heads. We played sloppy at times and not close to our best hockey and what we expect out of ourselves. It’s good to see some video and see where we’re working and not playing and fix that thing and know if we do we’ll have a good game tomorrow night.”

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper