Canucks blank Predators in Game 6, advance to 2nd round

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet instructed Pius Suter to preserve capturing. Suter did simply that, and it paid off.

Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Canucks superior to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night time in Game 6.

“If you keep going to those spots, it’ll happen, and it happened for Suits and big game-winning goal for us,” Tocchet stated concerning the ahead who had three of his 5 pictures in the third.

Nashville had a closing probability to power additional time with an influence play with 33.9 seconds left after Elias Lindholm was known as for cross-checking Gustav Nyquist. Even with goalie Juuse Saros pulled for an additional attacker, the Predators could not beat rookie goalie Arturs Silovs earlier than time expired.

The closing 4 video games in this collection have been determined by one objective. First-year Nashville coach Andrew Brunette stated this may’ve been the tightest collection he can keep in mind being in. Replaying the ultimate 33 seconds, the Jack Adams finalist stated he might see alternatives his Predators missed.

“You’re going to get in one of these games, and hockey’s cruel sometimes,” Brunette stated.

Silovs made 28 saves to grow to be the 14th rookie goalie in NHL historical past to end off a collection with a shutout and simply the fifth in 30 years. He joined Akira Schmid (2023), Matt Murray (2017 in opposition to Nashville in the Stanley Cup Final winner), Carey Price (2008) and Ilya Bryzgalov (2006) in that choose group.

“He stepped in and what a crazy scenario he’s been thrown into,” Canucks ahead J.T. Miller stated about Silovs. “He made the saves when he needed to in such a big and crazy environment. We’re happy for him.”

Vancouver will play Edmonton. The Oilers completed second behind the Canucks in the Pacific Division and beat the Los Angeles Kings in the primary round.

“I have thought about it for more than two seconds to be honest with you,” Miller stated about dealing with the Oilers.

The Canucks continued the streak began in Game 2 of the highway staff successful every of the ultimate 5 video games. They received their first playoff collection exterior the pandemic bubble since 2011 when Vancouver reached the Stanley Cup Final, a run that included a Game 6 win over the Preds in Nashville.

The Predators have misplaced six straight playoff video games on dwelling ice, taking a number of the luster off the franchise’s repute as Smashville. They have not received a postseason collection since 2018 after successful the Presidents’ Trophy a season after Nashville’s sudden run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.

Suter scored solely his second of the collection from in entrance off a move from Brock Boeser, beating Saros who additionally made 28 saves in a sport that appeared headed for additional time.

“I was trying to take away a little bit of the pass option, and I quite couldn’t reach with my stick,” Saros stated. “And then after that you just try to go and reach with your pad, but, you know, small margin there.”

Vancouver had its most pictures in a sport this collection after being held to a mixed 92 pictures by the primary 5 video games. That was the second-fewest in a playoff collection by 5 video games since 1960 trailing solely Washington (90) in the 1998 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Silovs bought into the combo when Vezina Trophy finalist Thatcher Demko was declared week-to-week with an harm after successful Game 1. Casey DeSmith began Games 2 and three earlier than his personal harm, then Silovs made his postseason debut, successful Game 4 for a 3-1 lead.

“I just embraced the challenge,” Silovs stated. “I knew I had already had played on big stages before. I was already familiar with what would happen, what kind of games they were going to be. It was a great opportunity for me to play for the big club and seize the opportunity.”