JT Miller had three assists for the Canucks, the Pacific Division’s No. 1 seed. Sillowes made 27 saves in his playoff debut, shutting out Thatcher Demko week after week with Casey DeSmith injured with an undisclosed injury on Sunday.
Mark Jankowski, Gustav Nyqvist and Filip Forsberg scored for Nashville, the Western Conference’s first wild card. Jus Saros made 16 saves.
“We felt like we played a very good game for 55 minutes,” Predators captain Roman Josi said. “We didn’t get the win. Sometimes this happens. The series is 3-1. We are going on the road. We have to win one on the road. We have done it before.”
Boeser gave the Canucks a 1–0 lead at 2:55 of the first period with a one-timer from below the left circle on Miller’s cross-crease pass on Vancouver’s first shot of the game.
“They’ve played very well the last two games, Nashville,” Canucks coach Rick Tocquet said. “Who is kidding whom? We had some moments in the last two games where we held on, but we definitely have to correct some things. I’m trying to be as honest as possible. I am happy for the people. “I’m happy, but we know we have to play better and we have to bring some guys up.”
Jankowski tied it at 1-1 at 5:34, redirecting Jeremy Lauzon’s slap shot from the high slot past Sielows.
Nyquist scored at 5:21 of the second period to give the Predators a 2-1 lead. He continued a 2-on-1 with Forsberg and beat Silloves with an over-the-shoulder wrist shot from the right circle.
Forsberg pushed it to 3-1 just 12 seconds into the third period when Josi’s cross-crease pass deflected off his skate at the right post.
“We are facing elimination,” Forsberg said. “We have to go out there and win a game and keep ourselves alive. We did it last time we were there, so we know what it takes. We obviously continue to invest in this series. Obviously, tonight didn’t go the way we wanted but at the same time, all those hits and all the investment, they’re taking that with them. “It’s just a game to go out there and try to win it and then come back and see you guys again.”
