Canucks 3, Predators 1: Ryan Kesler posted his second straight two-goal performance, scoring twice in the third period as Vancouver continued its success on the road.
Brad Richardson also scored and defenseman Jason Garrison notched two assists for the Canucks, who completed a 3-1-0 road trip and improved to 10-5-2 away from home this season. Roberto Luongo stopped 30 shots for Vancouver, which lost blue-liner Alex Edler after one period with an undisclosed injury.
Colin Wilson tallied and Marek Mazanec made 30 saves for the Predators, who fell to 0-2-1 on their four-game homestand. Nashville was without defensemen Shea Weber (eye) and Kevin Klein (lower body) for the second straight game.
Kesler snapped a 1-1 tie at 7:37 of the third, collecting the rebound of Garrison's shot and beating Mazanec from the low slot. He completed his fourth two-goal game with 5:45 remaining as he slid a backhander under the goaltender from the doorstep during a power play.
After more than 35 scoreless minutes, Vancouver broke through with 4:36 remaining in the second period as Richardson buried the rebound of Dale Weise's shot from the right side of the net. The Canucks' lead lasted all of 30 seconds as Patric Hornqvist grabbed the rebound of defenseman Roman Josi's blast and dished it to Wilson, who beat Luongo from the right side of the net.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Wilson has scored in back-to-back games after going 11 contests without a goal. ... All four of Kesler's two-goal efforts have come on the road, as have 11 of his 14 tallies this season. ... Garrison has recorded two assists in consecutive games and two points in three of his last four contests.
Vancouver | Nashville | |
Ryan Kesler 2 | Points | Colin Wilson 1 |
Ryan Kesler 2 | Goals | Colin Wilson 1 |
Jason Garrison 2 | Assists | Patric Hornqvist 1 |
Ryan Kesler 1 | Power Play Goals | N/A |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Roberto Luongo .968 | Save Percentage | Marek Mazanec .909 |
Roberto Luongo 30 | Saves | Marek Mazanec 30 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
Vancouver | 33 | 3 | 1-4 | 2-2 | 6 | 33 |
Nashville | 31 | 1 | 0-2 | 3-4 | 10 | 23 |