In the teams’ first meeting since the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Nashville Predators earned a critical 5-3 road win over the Vancouver Canucks Sunday at Rogers Arena.
Zachary L’Heureux scored his first NHL goal in his 14th game, and Steven Stamkos scored on both of Nashville’s power-play chances in an explosive second period for the Predators. Juuse Saros made 24 saves in goal, while former Predators goaltender Kevin Lankinen turned aside 16 shots.
The win is the Predators’ first of their five-game road trip, giving them a 1-1-2 record through the first four games and a 6-10-3 record for the season.
How the Predators lined up vs. Vancouver
Forsberg – O’Reilly – Nyquist
Stamkos – Sissons – Evangelista
Pärssinen – Novak* – Marchessault
L’Heureux – McCarron – Smith
Josi – Skjei
Lauzon – Carrier
Del Gaizo – Schenn
Saros
Wedgewood
Extra: Wilsby, Jankowski, Tomasino
*Tommy Novak, who missed the last five games, returned to the Predators’ lineup for the first time since his injury suffered Nov. 4.
Game Summary
After failing to find the back of the net Friday against the Calgary Flames, the Predators were the first to get on the board in Vancouver when L’Heureux collected a pass from Cole Smith and caught Lankinen out of position to score into an open net and give Nashville a 1-0 lead at 5:28 of the first period.
The Canucks tied it up six minutes later with a tip off the draw by Aatu Raty, who got a piece of an Erik Brannstrom shot. The 1-1 tie lasted into the first intermission and halfway through the second period, until the Canucks scored on their first power-play opportunity to take a 2-1 lead. With Colton Sissons in the box for roughing against Jake DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson hammered a one-timer from the right face-off circle to beat Saros and break the tie.
Vancouver’s lead didn’t last long, however, as the Predators capitalized on a power-play chance of their own at 12:17 of the second period. With Nils Hoglander serving a delay of game penalty, Stamkos fired a wrist shot from the high slot past Lankinen to knot the score at 2-2.
Two minutes later, Roman Josi gave the Predators a 3-2 lead with a one-timer from the left face-off circle. In the final minute of the second period, Stamkos scored his second power-play goal of the night to extend Nashville’s lead to 4-2 heading into the second intermission.
The Canucks poured on the pressure in the third period, dictating the pace in Nashville’s zone and holding the Predators without a shot on goal until the final two minutes of the frame. The sustained effort paid off at 14:00 of the frame, when former Predators forward Kiefer Sherwood buried a quick snipe from the high slot to make it a one-goal game and give Vancouver life down the stretch.
The Predators’ strong team defense allowed them to cling to their one-goal lead until Gustav Nyquist scored into the empty net for the 5-3 final.
Key Takeaways
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Predators forward Juuso Pärssinen skated in his 100th career NHL game.
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Josi had a goal and an assist in the second period to give him six points in his last six games and 700 points for his career.
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Stamkos scored power-play goal No. 218, passing Jaromir Jagr and Mike Gartner for 11th all-time in NHL history.
Up Next
The Predators will wrap up their five-game road trip Wednesday with a visit to the Seattle Kraken. Puck drop is at 9 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast nationally on TNT in the United States.
Visit The Hockey News Nashville Predators team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, podcasts and more.
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