NASHVILLE - The Vancouver Canucks can prove they learned from Chicago the importance of closing out an opponent the first chance they get.
Ryan Kesler broke a tie with a power-play goal at 7 minutes, 28 seconds of the third period, and the Canucks defeated the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Thursday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series.
The Canucks, the Presidents' Trophy winners for the NHL's best regular-season record, can close out the series Saturday night in Game 5 in Vancouver. They needed overtime in the seventh game to oust Chicago in the opening round after blowing a 3-0 series lead.
"Absolutely, that's why we came here," Canucks left wing Daniel Sedin said. "Every game has been close, but I think we had the upper hand in shots and scoring chances too, so we feel good about ourselves."
Christian Ehrhoff scored a power-play goal and had two assists, Kesler also had two assists, and Alexander Edler had a goal for VAncouver. Henrik Sedin notched his first points in the series with two assists and an empty-net goal with 20.6 seconds remaining.
Joel Ward and Cody Franson each had a goal and an assist for Nashville. The Predators lost consecutive games for the first time this postseason, but coach Barry Trotz isn't conceding.
"We've been on death's doorstep a couple times," Trotz said. "In the Anaheim series, we were there, and we found a way to come back and win. In Vancouver, we were there, and you know we find ways.
"And as I said, we've dug ourselves a hole, but we've been in a few holes this year, and this group has been able to do it all year."
