Markstrom sharp as Canucks top Predators 6-2

Jacob Markstrom stopped 36 shots, and Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller each had a goal and an assist to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a 6-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night.

Zack MacEwen, Brandon Sutter, Jordie Benn and Jake Virtanen also scored on a night Vancouvber retired the numbers of former stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

Quinn Hughes had three assists to take over the lead in the rookie scoring race with 44 points as the Canucks ended a four-game losing streak.

Vancouver Canucks center Zack MacEwen (71) fights to get past Nashville Predators defensemen Mattias Ekholm (14) and Dante Fabbro (57) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Craig Smith and Mikael Granlund scored for the Predators. Pekka Rinne lasted just 20:58, giving up four goals on 17 shots in his first appearance in four games. Juuse Saros stopped 13 of 15 shots the rest of the way.

With Brock Boeser on injured reserve after suffering an upper-body injury in the Canucks’ loss to Calgary on Saturday, Vancouver coach Travis Green juggled his lines on Monday in hopes of inspiring a group that had gone 0-3-1 in its last four games.

The move paid dividends early as MacEwen opened the scoring at 7:06 of the first by taking a pass in the slot from Miller and firing it past Rinne.

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) replaces goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) during second period NHL hockey action against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver added two more goals in the next seven minutes. Sutter deflected a shot by Pettersson past Rinne during a power play before Benn drifted in a shot from the point for his first goal in a Canucks uniform.

Just 58 seconds into the second, Pettersson picked up his 24th, ending Rinne's night.

The momentum started to shift when Tyler Myers took an extra cross-checking penalty when he and Austin Watson dropped the gloves at 5:01 of the second. The Predators spoiled Markstrom's shutout bid when Smith scored his 13th during the ensuing power play. Granlund jumped on a loose puck 66 seconds later to make the score 4-2.

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) stops a shot from Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson (40) during second period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

For the next several minutes, the Predators continued to apply pressure. Markstrom faced 19 shots in the second period, making spectacular saves on Rocco Grimaldi, Calle Jarnkrok, Viktor Arvidsson and Colton Sissons to help protect his team's lead.

Vancouver restored its three-goal lead with two minutes left in the second, when Hughes’ shot from the blue line bounced off Miller's knee and past Saros into the net.

Tempers flared early in the third as Sissons ran over Markstrom in his crease, drawing a goaltender interference penalty. The Canucks rounded out the scoring as Hughes fed Virtanen for another power-play goal, 2:32 into the third.

Nashville Predators defenseman Dante Fabbro (57) fights for control of the puck with Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson (40) during second period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

NOTES: Former Canucks captains Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden and Markus Naslund were all on hand Monday for Legends Night. ... The Canucks unveiled a new Legends Locker Room interactive exhibit in the Rogers Arena concourse on Monday morning. … The Sedins were on hand to take in the game, and received a standing ovation when they were introduced to the crowd. ... The Canucks wore their black skate retro jerseys against Nashville for the final time this season. ... RW Justin Bailey played his first game as a member of the Canucks after being signed as a free agent last summer.

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Predators: Host the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) looks on as Vancouver Canucks center Zack MacEwen (71) falls over Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) during first-period NHL action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Canucks: Host Chicago on Wednesday night.

Nashville Predators centre Calle Jarnkrok (19) is stopped by Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during first-period NHL action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) fights for control of the puck with Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) during first-period NHL action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)

Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) fights for control of the puck with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) during first-period NHL action in Vancouver, British Columbia, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. (Jonathan HaywardThe Canadian Press via AP)