Nashville, TN – In a thrilling contest that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Nashville Predators 5-4 in overtime. The game, held Monday night at Bridgestone Arena, saw Brock Boeser play the hero, scoring the game-winning goal with just seconds remaining in the extra period.
The Canucks and Predators traded blows throughout the night, with neither team able to establish a comfortable lead. Filip Forsberg opened the scoring for Nashville at 6:47 of the first period, deflecting a pass from Brady Skjei past Thatcher Demko. Vancouver responded on the power play when Evander Kane blasted a one-timer past Juuse Saros. The goal was Kane's first as a Canuck since being acquired in an offseason trade.
The second period saw the Canucks take their first lead of the game. Jake DeBrusk scored on the power play at 12:57, followed by Boeser who buried a one-timer to make it 3-1. However, Nashville responded before the end of the period with Erik Haula scoring on the power play, cutting the lead to 3-2.
Kane scored his second goal of the night early in the third period, increasing Vancouver's lead to 4-2. The Predators mounted a comeback, with Michael Bunting redirecting a shot into the net and Nick Blankenburg scoring on the power play to tie the game at 4-4.
With a shootout looming in overtime, Elias Pettersson passed to Boeser who managed to convert a backhand shot in front of Nashville's net with just two seconds left on the clock. The Canucks finished their three-game road trip with a 2-1-0 record.
Boeser's late heroics capped off a strong performance for the winger, who finished the game with two goals. Kane also had a standout game, scoring two goals for Vancouver. Elias Pettersson contributed with two assists. Thatcher Demko made 25 saves on 29 shots.
For the Predators, Forsberg and Bunting each had a goal and an assist. Luke Evangelista recorded two assists. Juuse Saros stopped 32 of 37 shots.
The Canucks were 2-for-3 on the power play, while the Predators were 2-on-4. This was the first time Nashville has scored twice on the power play this season.
The Canucks will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. The Predators will visit the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
