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Nashville Predators 1, Vancouver Canucks 3: Demko, goalposts stymie Preds

Jan 23, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund (64) is tripped into the net as San Jose Sharks left wing Fabian Zetterlund (20) shoots and scores a goal during the second period against the Nashville Predators at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

The Canucks started strong, and drew a penalty just under two minutes in, as Steven Stamkos headed off for holding. The Preds were able to kill the penalty off, then managed to get on the attack themselves, but Nils Höglander scored off the rush on a counterattack at 7:11.

Juuse Saros made a few big saves, keeping the Preds in it, and Tommy Novak tied the game back up — with a puck that glanced in off his skate and had Canucks fans unhappy — a minute and a half later. Play went back and forth from there, with both Saros and Thatcher Demko facing some good chances and Stamkos ringing iron with around four minutes left in the period.

Filip Forsberg almost managed a goal late in the period, but didn’t manage to give the Preds the lead, which meant that Linus Karlsson’s first NHL goal early in the second period put the Canucks up 2-1. A wobbly second period for the Preds got a boost when Luke Schenn drew a penalty, sending the Preds to the power play and Dakota Joshua to the penalty box.

It wasn’t a good power play. Nashville did manage not to give up a shorthanded goal, despite a late steal, but that was about all that could be said for it. They pushed back strongly to end the second period and start the third, then drew a penalty during a long shift that saw both Canucks defenders injured during play.

Again the Canucks’ penalty kill was more than up to the task, and a Preds surge after the teams had returned to even strength got short-circuited right after Adam Wilsby rang iron by a Michael McCarron penalty. Gus Nyquist and Roman Josi contributed great shorthanded chances, but Demko handled them both.

Then it was the Preds’ turn again to struggle with a power play, as the Canucks put six skaters on the ice. Demko made a phenomenal save on a Zach L’Heureux chance just before it expired, but no dice, and Brady Skjei was slow to get off the ice after the power play expired.

With Saros finally pulled for the extra attacker, Forsberg collided with Demko in the blue ice, putting the Preds shorthanded just when they most needed both an extra goal and Forsberg himself. Saros left again to give the Preds a chance to play at even strength, Pius Suter scored into the empty net, and that was it for the night.

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