The Vancouver Canucks took out some of their frustrations on the Nashville Predators early in the game and broke out to a 3-0 lead in the period Monday night.
They tacked on three more and defeated the Preds, 6-2.
Jacob Markstrom made 36 saves to get the win.
J.T. Miller had a goal and two points for the Canucks – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
J.T. Miller had a goal and two points i the win.
“We were ready to go for this game,” Miller said. “We did a lot of talking lately, and I think we needed to kind of get out there and play our game and get back to having a good start and put our best foot forward. Obviously, we had a good first period and kind of set the tone right there.”
The Predators trailed 0-4 before getting on the board.
“These are big games, but to have no emotion in the first period and playing the game at the hardness you need to play with this time of year is something that we got to figure out why,” Nashville head coach John Hynes said. “I still believe that comes down to mindset. Why was our mindset not right to start the game?”
Craig Smith and Mikael Granlund scored for Nashville.
“They had a good push,” Miller said. “They’re a good team so it’s expected but any type of breakdown, Marky has been unreal all year.”
Zack MacEwen, Brandon Sutter and Jordie Benn scored in the first period outburst.
“The building was buzzing,” MacEwen said. “It was great to have lots of energy to start the game and to come out with a win, and it’s a really good feeling.”
Tanner Pearson and Jake Virtanen also scored for the Canucks.
[WATCH: All Predators vs. Canucks highlights]
Pekka Rinne got the start for the Preds but was pulled after making 13 saves and surrendering four goals through the second period.
“I told him when he came out, I didn’t pull him because of Pekka,” Hynes said. “We had to play better in front of him, and unfortunately we played better when [Jusse] went in and Markstrom stood tall.”
Juuse Saros, who made 13 saves in the mop up role.
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