In Nashville, the visiting Vancouver Canucks took a 4-1 lead into the third period and coasted to a 5-2 win over the Predators on Tuesday night. 
“I’m really proud of the guys,” Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said. “I was watching, and sometimes we get out of position, but not very often. I just like the way they played defense. They’re protecting the middle. If we’ve got to give a shot, they give an outside shot. I think that’s really what I like about this team is whether they enjoy it or buy into it, they just love the way we defend the puck. And against this team here, they have a lot of offense. They can go. And I think we really defended them well tonight.”
The win stretched the Canucks’ point streak to seven games.
The Canucks moved to 22-9-2.
Casey DeSmith made 26 saves in the win.
Elias Pettersson opened the scoring in the first period to give the Canucks a 1-0 lad at 16:38, from the right side.
“I think it was a good, solid 60 minutes from us,” Pettersson said. “We talked about our starts, and I think we came out strong. We defended well and DeSmith was good in net again. Overall, all players contributed and played well.”
Vancouver kept the pressure on, and Nils Aman hit 31 seconds later for a 2-0 advantage to the Canucks.
Nashville replied on a marker form Jeremy Lauzon at 14:23 of the middle frame to trim the of deficit to 2-1.
“I think I’ve just tried to play simple,” Lauzon said. “I know my role. I know the type of player I am. I’m not going to be a guy that’s going to be on the power play, but I’m a great skater. If I can jump into the rush from time to time when there’s space in front of me, I’ll do it. I think I have a good shot, so if I can try to utilize that a little bit more and bring some offense, I think it’s just going to help my game.”
The Predators dropped to 18-14-0.
“I didn’t like our focus,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “That’s something we talked about, especially this time of year with everything that’s going on. I didn’t think mentally we were sharp, and we didn’t have the energy either. I think you rinse it, but I think there has to be some lessons learned there a little bit.”
In another quick response, the Canucks waited all of 15 seconds to restore their two-goal lead at 3-1 off a strike by Nils Hoglander.
“I just try to play my style and be grinding in the net front a lot,” Hoglander said. “That’s what goal-scorers do. I’m going to keep going there.”
Vancouver’s Pius Suter put in a rebound at 15:24 of the second for a 4-1 lead headed to the third period.
In the third, the Canucks played keep away, and Teddy Blueger scored with 78 seconds of fresh ice used in the third for a5-1 lad.
“I liked our game,” Pettersson said. “Even when they scored, we just kept going and didn’t let that slow us down or give them any momentum.”
Cody Glass scored a so what goal with 12 seconds left on the game clock for the 5-2 final count.scored from the slot to make it 5-2 at 19:48.
Juuse Saros made 19 saves in the loss.,
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