Canucks grab 3-1 series lead over Predators

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)-Ryan Kesler broke a tie with a power-play goal at 7:28 of the third period, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Thursday night to take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

Christian Ehrhoff scored a power-play goal and had two assists, Kesler also had two assists, and Alexander Edler had a goal. Henrik Sedin notched his first points in the series with two assists and an empty-net goal with 20.6 seconds left.

The Canucks, the Presidents' Trophy winners for the NHL's best regular-season record, can close out the series Saturday night in Game 7 in Vancouver.

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.

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