Vancouver Canucks prevail 4-2 over Predators to start playoff series

The Vancouver Canucks mounted a third-period comeback to take Game 1 of their best-of-seven series against the Nashville Predators 4-2, thanks to two goals from forward Dakota Joshua.

Nine years since the Canucks last hosted a Stanley Cup playoffs game, the Predators entered a deafening Rogers Arena on Sunday night.

"The building was crazy. You think you know what to expect until you get out there and you don't," said Canucks' forward Dakota Joshua of the game atmosphere.

Starting goaltender Thatcher Demko was a steadying presence to begin the game, but after the team failed to capitalize on an early power play, the Predators dug in and Jason Zucker gave Nashville the first goal of the series more than 15 minutes into the period.

After a paltry 4 shots in the first frame, it took just 47 seconds for the Canucks to pull even in the second, as centreman Elias Lindholm entered Nashville's zone and scored Vancouver's first goal of the 2024 NHL playoffs.

Vancouver's Teddy Blueger took an interference penalty halfway through the second period, and Nashville's Ryan O'Reilly capitalized by wristing a shot over top of Demko's glove hand to retake the lead 2-1.

The tally was O'Reilly's 26th career playoff goal. Nashville went 1-for-4 on the power play Sunday while Vancouver was 0-for-3.

The two teams traded chances in the third period before Pius Suter tipped in Canucks' captain Quinn Hughes' shot from the point to level up the game.

And before the playmakers behind that goal were even announced in the arena, Joshua gave the Canucks their first lead of the playoffs with a goal in tight against goaltender Juuse Saros just 12 seconds later.

"I think we just stayed patient the entire game and didn't really push too hard or give