NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Daniel Sedin and Mason Raymond scored first-period goals, and Roberto Luongo made 23 saves as the Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 to advance to the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night.
The Canucks, who had the NHL's best record this season, reached the conference finals for the first time since 1994 and will face the winner of the series between the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings.
Raymond gave Vancouver the lead 7:45 into the game and Sedin made it 2-0 just 1:43 later. Luongo did the rest for the Canucks, who were outshot 24-19. Vancouver recorded only nine total shots in the first two periods.
David Legwand's goal 3:31 into the second period cut Vancouver's lead to 2-1, but the Predators couldn't avoid elimination again and force a Game 7.
After grabbing the early lead, the Canucks put the game away with defense. Nashville had 11 shots in the first period, but only 13 over the final 40 minutes.
The Canucks got some help to get their offense rolling as Predators defenseman Ryan Suter turned over the puck to Ryan Kesler right next to the net. Kesler passed to Raymond, who backhanded a shot past goalie Pekka Rinne.
Sedin doubled the lead while Nashville forward Jordin Tootoo served an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for diving, after he was hit by Alex Edler. Sedin connected just 36 seconds into the power play.