Jensen, Edler score as Canucks blank Predators 2-0; Lack earns shutout

VANCOUVER – Nicklas Jensen and Alex Edler scored one minute 13 seconds apart in the third period to give the Vancouver Canucks a 2-0 victory over the Nashville Predators in NHL action Wednesday night.

The Canucks (32-30-10) posted their fourth win in seven games, but remained in 10th place while pulling within three points of eighth-place Phoenix. The win was timely, because the Canucks remained a point up on the Winnipeg Jets, who beat Colorado earlier Wednesday night.

Nashville (29-31-10) is in 12th place, dropping five points behind the Jets.

Vancouver goaltender Eddie Lack made 30 saves for his fourth shutout of the season — tops among NHL rookies — as the Predators enjoyed a 30-22 edge in shots.

Jensen finally opened the scoring as he picked up a loose puck while Nashville defenceman Seth Jones was checking Henrik Sedin, and then roofed a shot over Nashville goaltender Carter Hutton’s outstretched glove.

It was Jensen’s third goal in four games, and also just the third of his NHL career. The Danish rookie has only played seven games this season since being promoted from the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League because of injuries to key forwards Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler.

Edler gave the Canucks a 2-0 lead on a power play as he slid a slapshot between Hutton’s outstretched leg and the right post. The goal came only five seconds after Nashville defenceman Victor Bartley was penalized for interference. The puck went in while the infraction was being announced over the public address system.

The Canucks were playing their first game back home after a four-game road trip. The Predators completed their third straight series of back-to-back games within nine days.

Accordingly, neither team could muster a goal in the first two periods.

The Canucks did not get a shot on goal until 9:27 of the first period. Vancouver then enjoyed a spurt of offence, dominating with teams at full strength, but could not be Hutton.

The Preds controlled play for the rest of the period, but could not beat Lack. The Canucks goaltender denied Gabriel Bourque from close range following an odd-ma rush. Near the end of the period, Lack stopped Patric Hornqvist twice on one-timers that occurred within a few seconds of each other.

In the second period, Hutton stopped Edler as he came out of the penalty box, took a pass and rushed down the right wing. Moments later, Hutton foiled Dan Hamhuis on a wraparound and Alex Burrows on the ensuing rebound

Notes: The Canucks lost Burrows after Jensen’s goal as he appeared to be slashed on the left hand by Preds captain Shea Weber as the puck went in. Burrows’ glove came off on the play. … Nashville centre Paul Gaustad was injured when Canucks defenceman Edler checked on a breakaway and proceeded to fall on him in the first period. Gaustad went to the dressing room and did not return. … Vancouver coach John Tortorella said defenceman Chris Tanev will be out three to four weeks with a broken finger suffered while blocking a shot Monday in Tampa Bay. If the Canucks miss the playoffs, he could be done for the season. No updates were given on injured centre Ryan Kesler and winger Daniel Sedin, who remain out indefinitely with undisclosed ailments. … Canucks centre Brad Richardson returned after missing seven games with an undisclosed upper-body injury. … Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis and his family donated $55,000 in conjunction with a local radio station to the team’s charitable children’s foundation.