Predators Drop Game 1 to Canucks, 4-2

The Nashville Predators played two-and-a-half periods of well-organized hockey in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Sunday, but it took them just 12 seconds to unravel.

Trailing by a goal to begin the third period, the Vancouver Canucks scored twice in a dozen seconds to take the lead over the Predators and held on to defeat them 4-2.

First, Pius Suter deflected a Quinn Hughes shot from the point to tie the game at 8:59. Then, a misplay by Alexandre Carrier led Dakota Joshua to score the go-ahead goal at 9:11.

Joshua scored an empty-net goal with 88 seconds left to seal the win for Vancouver.

Nashville opened the scoring in the first period on a Jason Zucker goal, but Elias Lindholm tied it up just 47 seconds into the middle frame. Ryan O'Reilly gave the Predators the lead back later in the period with a power-play goal at 10:46.

With his assist on Zucker’s goal, Predators captain Roman Josi broke a three-way tie with Ryan Johansen and Ryan Ellis for the most playoff assists (32) in franchise history.

Josi's record-setting night, however, was marred by a squandered opportunity, as Vancouver now leads the best-of-seven series 1-0.

The teams will meet again in Game 2 Tuesday at Rogers Arena.