Vancouver Canucks beat Nashville Predators 2-1 to regain series lead

J.T. Miller had a goal and assist as 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 30 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.

The Predators overwhelmed the visitors early, penning the Canucks in their own zone for several minutes at a time.

Vancouver was called for two penalties in the first 10 minutes of the game, and weathered both, thanks in part to DeSmith. The netminder denied Ryan O'Reilly at the 5:40 mark, using his paddle to send a speedy wrist shot up and out of the way. 

Midway through the frame, DeSmith drew a penalty when he was levelled by Michael McCarron behind the net. 

The Canucks' power play got to work, dishing the puck around the perimeter and looking for the right opportunity. Hughes connected with Miller and the forward blasted a shot past Saros from above the faceoff circle, scoring on Vancouver's first recorded shot of the game 13:23 into the first.

Vancouver went up 2-0 thanks to another man advantage early in the second when Roman Josi was sent to the box for tripping. 

Stationed near the boards, Miller sliced a