Predators Display Heightened Defensive Effort in 4-1 Win vs. Canucks in Game 2

The Nashville Predators didn't put forth their best effort on offense, but a strong defensive effort visibly frustrated the Vancouver Canucks and lifted Nashville to a 4-1 win in Game 2 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

Casey DeSmith started Game 2 in goal for Vancouver and made 12 saves in place of injured starter Thatcher Demko , who may be out for the series with an undisclosed injury.

Related: Predators Gain Series Advantage With Demko Injury

Nashville was largely outplayed in the first period but managed to sneak into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead thanks to an early tip-in goal from Anthony Beauvillier .

They had three big kills in the opening frame to help keep Vancouver off the scoresheet, but the Predators struggled to stay out of the penalty box – and out of their own zone. The Canucks finished the first period with four shots on goal but had another 10 blocked – including six by Nashville's penalty killers.

The Predators extended their lead to 3-0 in the second period thanks to big goals by Filip Forsberg and Colton Sissons . The former lifted a shot over DeSmith's glove from the edge of the crease at 6:29, and the latter buried the rebound of a Beauvillier shot off the rush.

Still, the Predators couldn't get a good sustained shift in the offensive zone and were once again outplayed in the third. Nashville finished with just 35 total shot attempts to Vancouver's 84, and the Predators were also outhit 45-30.

The Predators continued to put on a shot-blocking clinic, however, blocking 32 in total. Defenseman Alexandre Carrier led all skaters with six blocked shots, redeeming himself after a costly defensive gaffe that led to Vancouver's go-ahead goal in Game 1.

Juuse Saros made just 17 saves, but he looked fantastic between the pipes for Nashville in what was arguably the biggest playoff win of his career. He allowed Vancouver's lone goal of the game to Nikita Zadorov , whose shot from the top of the left circle deflected off the stick of Mark Jankowski and into the back of the net at the end of the second period.

Kiefer Sherwood earned his first career playoff goal on an empty net with 1:53 remaining in the game for the 4-1 final.

The Predators and Canucks are now tied 1-1, with Game 3 of the best-of-seven series in Nashville on Friday.