Demko makes 31 saves as Canucks beat skidding Predators 3-1

Thatcher Demko made 31 saves to lead the Vancouver Canucks over the skidding Nashville Predators 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Juho Lammikko scored in Vancouver's second consecutive victory. The win ended the Canucks’ stretch of nine straight road games on a high note. Vancouver last played at home Dec. 14.

Philip Tomasino scored and David Rittich stopped 21 shots for Nashville, which has lost four in a row. The Predators went 12-1-1 in their 14 previous games before the slide.

Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser (6) moves the puck in front of Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)

Tomasino scored the opening goal at 2:51 of the second period.

With the Predators on a power play, Tomasino beat Demko high to the far side with a half slap shot from just above the right faceoff dot for the rookie’s sixth goal of the season.

Pettersson tied it at 7:23 of the second, cleaning up the rebound of Vasily Podkolzin’s shot from the slot.

Nashville Predators left wing Tanner Jeannot (84) fights with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kyle Burroughs (44) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)

Pettersson has three goals in his last two games.

Vancouver took a 2-1 lead at 3:41 of the second on Boeser’s power-play goal. J.T. Miller sent a wrist shot on net from the left circle. Standing just outside the crease, Boeser tipped the puck by Rittich.

Lammikko tipped home a loose puck at 12:19 of the third.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)

Demko was sharp, particularly in the second period, when he denied 14 of the 15 Nashville shots on goal. Demko was recently selected to his first All-Star Game.

NASHVILLE NEMESES

Pettersson and Boeser both enjoy seeing Nashville on the schedule.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) fights with Nashville Predators right wing Michael McCarron (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)

Pettersson has five goals and six assists in eight career games against the Predators. Boeser has seven goals and four assists in 10 games versus Nashville.

HELLO, STRANGER

Rittich made his seventh appearance of the season, but first on home ice. Known as Big Save Dave, Rittich had only played in Bridgestone Arena as a visitor prior to signing with the Predators this offseason.

Vancouver Canucks center Jason Dickinson (18) passes the puck in front of Nashville Predators defenseman Philippe Myers (55) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)

Nashville starter Juuse Saros has seen the lion’s share of the work in net this season, making 33 appearances to date. Saros’ strong performance has made him an early contender for the Vezina Trophy.

Carter Hutton is the last Predators goalie other than Saros or Pekka Rinne to win at home, on Jan. 16, 2016.

UP NEXT

Nashville Predators center Nick Cousins (21) watches a goal by center Philip Tomasino get past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP PhotoMark Zaleski)

Predators: Host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Canucks: Open a three-game homestand Friday against the Florida Panthers.

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