Casey DeSmith showcased a stellar performance, making 29 saves to secure his first career playoff win as the Vancouver Canucks triumphed over the Nashville Predators with a 2-1 victory on Friday night.

With the win, Vancouver now holds a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference first-round playoff series, setting the stage for an intense Game 4 showdown scheduled for Sunday in Nashville.

DeSmith’s standout performance comes in the absence of starting goaltender Thatcher Demko, who has been sidelined due to a lower-body injury since the series opener. Stepping up to the challenge, DeSmith displayed poise and determination between the pipes, earning praise from his teammates for his crucial saves throughout the game.

J.T. Miller played a pivotal role in Vancouver’s victory, contributing a goal and an assist, while Brock Boeser also found the back of the net. Both goals came on power-play opportunities, marking a significant improvement for the Canucks, who had struggled with the man advantage in the previous two games.

Despite facing limited offensive pressure from the Predators, with goaltender Juuse Saros stopping 10 of 12 shots, Vancouver’s defensive effort remained strong, with the team blocking 30 shots in front of DeSmith.

Reflecting on the hard-fought win, DeSmith commended his teammates for their resilience and effort, emphasizing the challenges of playing in Nashville’s hostile environment. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a one-goal lead in the face of late pressure from the Predators.

Miller’s power-play goal in the first period gave Vancouver an early lead, while Boeser extended the Canucks’ advantage with another power-play goal in the second period, showcasing the team’s ability to capitalize on special teams opportunities.

As the series progresses, Vancouver will look to build on their momentum and continue their strong performance as they aim to advance further in the playoffs. With DeSmith’s stellar play and contributions from key players like Miller and Boeser, the Canucks are poised to make a deep postseason run.