Mark Jankowski, Gustav Nyqvist and Filip Forsberg each scored, but the Vancouver Canucks were able to tie the game late and ultimately win 4-3 in overtime on Sunday at Bridgestone Arena.
The result gives the Canucks a 3-1 series lead and keeps the Predators on the brink of elimination as they return to British Columbia for Game 5 on Tuesday.
“We’re a very honest group,” Predators captain Roman Josi said. “We felt like we played a really good game for 55 minutes and we didn’t get the win. And sometimes this is what happens. But it’s a 3-1 series, we’re going on the road and we have to win one on the road. We’ve done it before, and I think our game is in good shape, so we’ll go out there, win one and see what happens.”
“It hurts, but it’s supposed to hurt and it’s going to be tough, but it’s gonna be tough,” Predators head coach Andrew Brunet said. “This should be the mentality. The next game is going to be even tougher and we will accept that and move straight ahead. We will try to do our best. We’ve been a really good road team all year. We just win a game, we build and become the best version of ourselves. And I think if we do that, no matter what happens, we’ll be OK.”
quick hit
a tough ending
By 57 minutes, the Predators once again felt they had thwarted a winning effort on their opponent.
Indeed, despite outscoring the Canucks 30–20 and taking advantage of opportunistic moments, Nashville led its opponent 3–1 in the final three minutes of the game.
Unfortunately, this is when the Canucks will need it to take a 3-1 series lead.
Brock Boeser completed a hat trick twice, keeping Vancouver’s net empty and forcing overtime, where Elias Lindholm ultimately put the game away for the visitors in just 62 seconds.
“I really liked our third period, with the two-goal lead,” Brunet said. “I thought we were really digging in, everyone was pulling the ropes. I think we have improved as the series has progressed. So, that’s why it’s a little disappointing that you don’t get rewarded for it. Usually when you do the things we’ve been doing, if we can clear our heads and get back to work, the hockey gods may give you a break. Because I thought we did a lot of good things in both of these home games, we probably should have won at least one, maybe two.”
“It’s hard,” Josie said. “It hurts, and obviously everyone is a little bit hurt right now, but sometimes you have to focus on the process. Things happen in hockey. I have been a part of many playoff series and things go our way and sometimes things go the other way. You have to forget about it quickly and make sure your game is in order and things will be fine.”
smooth target
Regardless of the result, the Predators entered Game 4 looking for a more attractive netfront presence and got it courtesy of Nos. 17 and 9.
Forcing a Canucks turnover in the neutral zone to set up Nashville’s attack, Jankowski parked in front of the net and fired a blast off the twine from Jeremy Lauzon to get the Predators on the board at 5:34 of the first period.
About 35 minutes later, an onrushing Forsberg gave the Predators a two-goal lead after angling the rebound off Josi’s skate and past Arturs Silovs.
Jankowski’s first-period goal was the first of his postseason career and gave him his second point (1g-1a) of these playoffs.
Forsberg’s third period goal was the 31st of his postseason career and second of 2024.
next
The Predators will try to stave off elimination when the series shifts back to Rogers Arena for Game 5 on Tuesday.
Puck drop for Game 5 is at 9pm CT, the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports South, TBS, Max, 102.5 The Game and El Jefe Radio.
notes
- Josi skated in his 89th career playoff game on Sunday, tying Pekka Rinne for franchise history.
- Forsberg’s goal 12 seconds into the third period was the fastest goal to start a period in Predators postseason history. The previous mark was set by David Legwand (0:13 of P3 in Game 5 of the 2012 CQF).
- Jarrett Anderson-Dolan, Tyson Barrie, Cody Glass, Gustavs Griggles, Juuso Parsinen and Spencer Stastny (upper body) suffered scratches and did not skate in Sunday’s game.