The Vancouver Canucks, the Pacific Division champions, hosted their first playoff game since 2015 and marked the occasion with a thrilling 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of their first-round series.
The Predators struck first with a goal from Calle Jarnkrok in the opening period. The Canucks responded in the second period with a power-play goal by Brock Boeser, but the Predators regained the lead with a goal from Eeli Tolvanen later in the frame.
The Canucks entered the third period trailing 2-1, but they quickly turned the tide with two goals in quick succession. Pius Suter tied the game with a wrist shot from the slot just 1:50 into the period, and Dakota Joshua gave the Canucks the lead for good with a backhand shot just 12 seconds later.
The Predators pushed for an equalizer, but the Canucks held on for the victory. Thatcher Demko made 25 saves in goal for the Canucks, while Juuse Saros made 33 saves for the Predators.
The two teams will meet again in Vancouver for Game 2 on Tuesday night. The series will then shift to Nashville for Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Saturday.
