Anthony Beauvillier and Filip Forsberg each collected one goal and one assist to pace the visiting Nashville Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday and even their Western Conference first-round playoff series at one win apiece.
Colton Sissons and Kiefer Sherwood also scored for the Predators. Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros made 17 saves, including a few highlight-reel efforts while the Canucks pushed frantically in the third period to draw even.
Collectively, Nashville’s skaters also blocked 30 Vancouver shot attempts.
Nikita Zadorov had the Canucks’ lone goal. Casey DeSmith, who was in net with No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko out due to an injury, stopped 12 of the 15 shots he faced.
Vancouver was also without towering defenseman Tyler Myers.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be Friday in Nashville.
Beauvillier opened the scoring only 74 seconds into the clash, the second time in as many games the Predators scored first. Forsberg sent a long shot that Beauvillier deflected into the cage on the game’s first shot on net.
Forsberg doubled the lead at 6:29 of the second period by showing off his quick hands from in close on a golden chance he created by driving to the net.
Sissons tallied 95 later to stake the Predators to a 3-0 edge. Taking advantage of a turnover at the Vancouver blue line, Sissons pounced on a rebound after Beauvillier’s shot was denied.
Zadorov finally provided the hosts a much-needed offensive jolt at 15:33 of the middle frame. The big defensemen’s long shot from the left point made it through the screen and found the mark.
However, Sherwood’s empty-net goal with 1:53 remaining, Nashville’s first shot of the third period, sealed the game.
–Field Level Media