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Associated Press
10/26/2006 10:58:01 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Scott Hartnell scored two goals to help the Nashville Predators beat the San Jose Sharks 4-3 on Thursday night.

It was the first game between the two teams since the Sharks knocked the Predators out in the first round of the playoffs last season.

Alexander Radulov, with his first NHL goal, and Paul Kariya also had goals for the Predators (5-3-1-0), who have won five of their past six games.

Milan Michalek, Patrick Marleau and Mark Bell replied for San Jose (7-4-0-0).

Bell opened the scoring and added to San Jose's league-leading power play at 11:21 of the first period. With Nashville's Marek Zidlicky in the penalty box, Bell scored from in close.

The Predators answered less than a minute later as Radulov beat Sharks goalie Vesa Toskala with a hard wrist shot from inside the right circle to make it 1-1.

The Predators took a lead on a tip-in by Hartnell before Kariya made it 3-1 at 17:52 of the second period.

Michalek trimmed the lead to 3-2 a little over a minute later.

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