The San Jose Sharks’ season hit rock bottom Tuesday night.

The Sharks took a four-goal lead early in the second period only for the wheels to totally fall off in what became a disheartening 7-5 loss to the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.

The Sharks led 5-1 after Mikael Granlund scored a power-play goal at the 4:28 mark of the second period. But the Sharks sat back, lost their edge, and watched momentum completely swing the other way, as the Predators scored twice in 53 seconds midway through the second period and added three more goals in the first 8:09 of the third.

The Sharks could not generate a response as they gave up another third-period lead in what can easily be described as their biggest faceplant of the season.

San Jose is now 8-6-2 in games in which it has held a lead going into the third period.

The loss marked a crushing end to the Sharks’ five-game road trip, which began with an encouraging win over the Detroit Red Wings last Tuesday and was quickly followed by losses to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the New York Islanders, and the Boston Bruins.

The Sharks and Predators play each other again on Thursday in San Jose.

Macklin Celebrini, Luke Kunin, Granlund, and Jake Walman all scored in the first period as the Sharks took a 4-1 lead. Granlund then scored his second and 14th of the season as the Sharks converted a power play opportunity.

Askarov could be playoff asset for Barracuda >> Yaroslav Askarov has been everything the Sharks hoped he would be when they acquired him five months ago from the Nashville Predators, and it’s likely only a matter of time before he becomes the team’s No. 1 goalie.

But he could still be a tremendous asset to the Sharks organization between now and then, particularly during the Calder Cup playoffs.

The Sharks’ front office has talked about how valuable playoff games can be to a prospect’s development and would love to see the San Jose Barracuda go on a long postseason run this year. San Jose (20-13-1-2) entered this week in fifth place in the AHL’s Pacific Division but is still having its best season in years and appears capable of doing damage in the playoffs.

Askarov, 22, figures to help with that endeavor. Before the Sharks recalled him on Dec. 18, Askarov had a 9-4-1 record and a .938 save percentage with three shutouts in 14 games with the Barracuda this season. He was named to the Pacific Division team for the AHL All-Star Classic next month in Palm Desert, but whether he plays in the game will depend on whether he’s with the Sharks or Barracuda.