Cole Smith’s goal early in the third period broke a tie and the host Nashville Predators hung on for a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.
Ryan O’Reilly also scored for the Predators, who snapped their four-game losing streak (0-3-1). Juuse Saros stopped 21 shots.
Max Sasson got the goal for the Canucks, who lost their second in a row after winning the first three of a five-game road trip. Thatcher Demko made 33 saves.
Saros stopped Brock Boeser’s tip attempt with about 1:40 left.
Smith’s goal came 5:09 into the third period. His tip of defenseman Justin Barron’s shot trickled through Demko and over the goal line — just before defenseman Marcus Pettersson dove to knock it off the goal line with his stick — and into the net. It was Smith’s second goal.
Sasson tied the game 1-1 with 8:11 left in the second period. He cut in off the left wing and slid a shot through Saros’ legs for Sasson’s third goal in five games since being recalled from AHL Abbotsford.
O’Reilly gave Nashville a 1-0 lead with a short-handed goal 9:01 into the middle period. He beat Demko from the right circle off the rush. It was O’Reilly’s third goal this season.
During a Predators’ power play early in the second, it was the Canucks that had the two best chances.
Saros stopped Drew O’Connor from the right circle at 2:15 and then denied Kiefer Sherwood’s breakaway attempt just over 40 seconds later.
The Predators outshot the Canucks 12-5 in a scoreless first period, despite having only one power play compared to four for Vancouver. The last of these carried over into the second period.
Nashville killed off a 90-second two-man disadvantage late in the opening period.
Despite the low number of shots, the Canucks attempted 18 in the first period. Eight were blocked and five missed the net.
Vancouver captain and defenseman Quinn Hughes played 11:02 in the first period.
Boeser returned for the Canucks after missing two games due to personal reasons.
