Game three of the first round went in favour of the Vancouver Canucks last night, with a final score of 2-1.
MUSIC TO OUR EARS.@McDonaldsCanada | #Canucks pic.twitter.com/7CPFOROvFl
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 27, 2024
Vancouver started off the game very slowly, not registering a shot on goal until they were over thirteen minutes into the first period. However despite not taking many shots to start the game, the Canucks made it count and took advantage of their power plays last night, as J.T. Miller scored on the first shot of the game for the Canucks. Quinn Hughes registered his third point of the series with another assist, and Elias Petterrson gained his first point of the series, also being credited with the assist. The first period ended 1-0 for the Canucks, while they only produced three shots on goal compared to Nashville’s five. The second period started off hot for Vancouver, who took advantage of another power play to make the game 2-0. Brock Boeser scored just over four and a half minutes into the period after a Roman Josi tripping penalty. Boeser was assisted by Hughes (4th point) and Miller (3rd point). The Canucks held on for another period and goalie Casey DeSmith kept the shut out going with 16 saves through two periods. Vancouver also had killed off all five of Nashville’s power plays through two periods.
The third period is where things started getting dicey. Vancouver again only registered three shots on goal to bring their total for the game up to 12, while Nashville poured on the pressure racking up 14 shots on goal in the period, bringing their total to 30. The game continued 2-0 for the majority of the game, until Luke Evangelista rifled in a wrist shot just under 17 minutes into the game. The Canucks kept holding through man-advantages, shutting the Preds out on power plays for the night, and not letting the 6-on-5, after Nashville pulled their goalie, get to them. This game kind of seemed like the hockey gods were giving back to Vancouver after their lack lustered game two performance. The Canucks turned the tables and blocked an insane 28 shots of their own, not allowing the Preds to get many great looks on goal. As for offensively, the Canucks still seem very passive when in the attacking end, only registering 51 shots over the three games. Now regardless of how many shots they got, the Canucks scored when it mattered most and finally looked like a bit of a threat on the power play. But the true star of the game was DeSmith who stood on his head last night and did his best to fill in Demkos skates. He ended the night with 29 saves and a .967 save percentage.
The Canucks look to bring the Predators to the brink of elimination in game four on Sunday, which then heads back to Vancouver for game five on Tuesday the 30th. Game four puck drop is at 2:00pm PST on the 28th.