Canucks defeat Predators in Game 3, take 2-1 series lead

J.T. Miller had a goal and assist and the Vancouver Canucks edged the Nashville Predators 2-1 to re-take the lead in their first-round playoff series.

J.T. Miller had a goal and assist and the Vancouver Canucks edged the Nashville Predators 2-1 to re-take the lead in their first-round playoff series.

Brock Boeser also scored for the Canucks and Quinn Hughes contributed a pair of helpers.

Luke Evangelista replied for Nashville late in the third period, scoring his first career playoff goal.

Juuse Saros stopped 10 of 12 shots for the Predators. The 12 shots was a franchise low for the Canucks.

Casey DeSmith had 29 saves for Vancouver in his second game of the post-season after taking over for all-star goalie Thatcher Demko who is out week to week with an undisclosed injury.

The Canucks are now up 2-1 in the best-of-seven matchup.

Vancouver leaned hard on special teams for the win, going 2-for-3 on the power play and killing off all five penalties it faced.