Steven Stamkos showcased his prowess on the power-play, scoring twice to propel the Nashville Predators to a 5-3 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night. This victory marked a turnaround for the Predators, improving their season score to 5-10-3 and breaking their three-game losing streak. It also ended their struggle on the road, registering just their second away win this season.

Zachary L’Heureux celebrated his maiden NHL goal, while Roman Josi and Gustav Nyquist — who scored into an unguarded net — added to Nashville’s tally. Providing a solid defense, Juuse Saros stopped 24 shots.

Canucks’ Struggles Continue Despite Goals from Raty, Pettersson, and Sherwood

Vancouver’s counterattacks came from Aatu Raty, Elias Pettersson, and Kiefer Sherwood. Yet, despite their efforts and 16 saves from ex-Predator Kevin Lankinen, the Canucks couldn’t avoid defeat, slipping to a 9-5-3 season record.

The Predators’ offensive drive started early, with L’Heureux collecting a stray puck and firing it past Lankinen at 5:28 of the initial period.

Key Takeaways from the Predators-Canucks Showdown

The Predators have had a challenging history against the Canucks, losing all three regular-season clashes in 2023-24 and succumbing in the first playoff round after a six-game battle.

The Canucks, on the other hand, continued a troubling trend of conceding the opening goal — the tenth time in their last 11 games. Their record at their home turf, Rogers Arena, stands at a disappointing 3-4-3, with consecutive victories remaining elusive.

Turning Point: Stamkos and Josi’s Quickfire Goals

The Predators found themselves trailing 2-1 in the second period but bounced back spectacularly with back-to-back goals within a mere 2:04. Stamkos ended his five-game goal drought, capitalizing on a delay-of-game penalty against Nils Hoglander. Josi then slammed in another goal, just 11 seconds after Saros spectacularly denied Sherwood’s breakaway attempt.

The Predators will conclude a five-game journey in Seattle on Wednesday night, while the Canucks will end a six-game homestand against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

William Caldwell is a veteran journalist whose career has spanned the highs and lows of the sports world. With a focus on baseball and hockey, William’s articles are known for their depth and historical perspective, making him a favorite among fans who appreciate the rich traditions of sports. Outside the press box, William is an amateur historian with a particular interest in sports memorabilia.