Canucks 2, Predators 1
Mason Raymond and Daniel Sedin scored goals less than two minutes apart in the first period and the top-seeded Vancouver Canucks held on to eliminate the fifth-seeded Nashville Predators with a 2-1 road victory in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday.
Ryan Kesler notched a pair of assists and Vezina Trophy finalist Roberto Luongo made 23 saves for the Canucks, who advanced to the conference final for the first time since 1994.
Hoping to avoid another decisive seventh game after squandering a 3-0 series lead against the Chicago Blackhawks in the conference quarterfinals, Vancouver scored twice in a span of 1:43 midway through the first period.
After forcing a turnover by Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter in the slot, Kesler took a shot that caromed off Suter's skate and behind the net. Kesler gained possession and dished the puck to Raymond, who deked before sliding a backhander past Vezina finalist Pekka Rinne at 7:45 for his first goal of the postseason.
Sedin made it 2-0 at 9:28 by batting in a backhander from the crease during a power play for his first tally of the series.
The Predators halved the deficit 3 1/2 minutes into the second when David Legwand banked in a shot off Luongo from the right side of the net. After video review, Legwand was awarded his sixth goal of the playoffs and fourth in the series.
Rinne made 17 saves for Nashville, which registered only six shots in the third period.