Canucks Vs. Predators, Game 3: Ryan Kesler’s Scores Game Winner In Overtime; Vancouver Wins 3-2

It didn't take nearly as long as it did for Nashville in Game 2, but Vancouver's powerplay proved deadly for the Canucks in their 3-2 overtime victory. Ryan Kesler tipped a Mikael Samuelsson shot past Pekka Rinne at the 10:45 mark of overtime to give the Canucks a 2-1 series lead over the Nashville Predators.

Ryan Kesler's goal scoring touch factored in this game as he started the scoring for the Canucks in the second period as well. Kesler had been struggling the playoffs thus far, not having scored in nine games. His first goal of the game came on the powerplay as well in the second period as Christian Ehrhoff was able to move Pekka Rinne out of position and slide the puck to a wide open Kesler.

The Predators started the scoring on a David Legwand shorthanded goal in the first period. Legwand was able to draw a penalty on the play and then move the puck to Nick Spaling. Spaling found Ryan Suter who then passed it back to Legwand sitting in front of the net.

With the score tied at 1-1 heading into the third period, the Canucks scored early on a Christopher Higgins goal. Higgins was able to beat Rinne who was out of position after he ran into his own defenseman. The Predators tied the game with six minutes left in the third as Joel Ward was able to pounce on a rebound in front of the net.

The Canucks offense was consistently swarming the net all night long, outshooting the Predators 47-30 in the game and 24-12 through the first two periods. Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo had a solid night making 28 saves while Nashville's Pekka Rinne made 44 saves in the losing effort.