By AakashSports_
The Vancouver Canucks earned a thrilling 5–4 overtime win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night at Bridgestone Arena. It was a tense, high-scoring matchup that tested their composure, but a perfectly timed timeout and a composed finish sealed the deal.
Game Summary
Vancouver looked decent through much of the night, using its special teams and puck support to control play. Nashville fought back hard in the third to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Canucks regrouped at the right time.
With 10.1 seconds left in overtime, head coach Adam Foote called a timeout to reset his group. Whatever was discussed worked perfectly — Elias Pettersson, played the puck with precision to Brock Boeser, who buried the winner with dying seconds left on the clock.
First Period
Nashville opened the scoring at 6:47 when Filip Forsberg beat Thatcher Demko from the slot. Vancouver responded later in the period when Evander Kane scored on the power play at 14:45, tying the game 1–1 after twenty minutes.
Second Period
The Canucks took charge in the middle frame. Jake DeBrusk gave them a 2–1 lead with another power-play goal at 12:57, and Brock Boeser followed up at 15:05 to make it 3–1. Nashville cut the deficit before intermission, with Erik Haula scoring late to make it 3–2 after two periods.
Third Period
Evander Kane scored his second of the night early in the third at 3:02 to restore the two-goal lead. The Predators rallied, though, getting goals from Michael Bunting and Nick Blankenburg to tie the game 4–4 late. Vancouver bent but did not break, holding on to reach overtime.
Overtime
The extra frame was mostly possessed by the Canucks with, Nashville had some chances. After a late timeout with just over ten seconds left, Vancouver executed a perfectly drawn-up play. Elias Pettersson found Boeser, who finished the night with authority, giving the Canucks a 5–4 win and two hard-earned points.
Bright Spots
- Brock Boeser — Two goals including the overtime winner, decisive when it mattered most.
- Evander Kane — Two goals, heavy on the forecheck, brought energy and scoring touch.
- Power play — Efficient at 2-for-3, a key factor in controlling the pace.
- Thatcher Demko — Stayed calm under late pressure, solid when the team needed a reset.
What Went Wrong
- Defensive coverage broke down in the third, allowing Nashville to tie it.
- The Canucks lost their structure in front of the net during extended pressure.
- Discipline slipped in key moments, giving Nashville unnecessary chances to rally.
Coaching Notes
Head coach Adam Foote’s timeout with seconds left in overtime was the difference. The team came out of that huddle focused, confident, and ready to execute. While the defensive breakdowns remain a concern, the response under pressure showed belief in the system and trust in one another.
Why This Win Matters
This was not a clean win, but it was a meaningful one. Vancouver held its nerve after letting a lead slip and found a way to close. Those are the kinds of games that build identity and confidence, lessons that carry weight through the long season.
What’s Next
The Canucks return home to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena. It’s another test of consistency and hopefully some returning players from injury.
