Canucks stage dramatic comeback against Predators to take 3-1 series lead

Field Level Media|published: Sun 28th April, 20:38 2024

Apr 28, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Cole Smith (36) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period n game four of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. credits: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Elias Lindholm scored at 1:02 of overtime to lift the visiting Vancouver Canucks to a 4-3 win against the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first round series on Sunday.

Lindholm scored from the front of the net off a behind-the-net pass from Conor Garland.

Vancouver leads the best-of-seven series 3-1.

Brock Boeser had a hat trick, and Arturs Silovs made 27 saves for the Canucks. The 23-year-old goalie started in place of Casey DeSmith, who did not dress because of an undisclosed injury.

With Silovs pulled for the extra attacker, Boeser connected on a cross-crease pass from Elias Lindholm to cut it to 3-2 at 17:11 of the third period, and he completed the hat trick from the side of the net to tie it 3-3 at 19:52.

Mark Jankowski, Gustav Nyquist and Filip Forsberg scored for the Predators. Juuse Saros made 16 saves.

Boeser gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead on its first shot on goal at 2:55 of the first period.

J.T. Miller won the face-off back to Carson Soucy, who then dished it back to Miller backing through the slot toward the right circle. Miller then sent a cross-ice pass over to Boeser alone in the left circle, where he quickly wired a wrist shot that beat a diving Saros short side at 2:55.

Jankowski tied it 1-1 at 5:34. With the teams at 4-on-4, Jeremy Lauzon took a pass from Alexandre Carrier above the circles and fired a shot that Jankowski tipped in front.

Nyquist put the Predators ahead 2-1 at 5:21 of the second period.

Ryan O'Reilly collected a rebound in the corner in the defensive zone and sent a stretch pass to Nyquist in the neutral zone to create a 2-on-1. Nyquist carried it in with patience, waiting until he was in the right circle before sniping it top shelf short side.

Forsberg made it 3-1 Nashville 12 seconds into the third period. Roman Josi sent the rebound of his own shot down low through the crease to Forsberg on the other side, where he easily deposited it into the net.

It was the fastest goal to start a period in Predators postseason history.

—Field Level Media