NASHVILLE -- Thatcher Demko made 31 saves, and Quinn Hughes had two assists for the Vancouver Canucks in a 3-1 win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday. Linus Karlsson scored his first NHL goal for the Canucks (23-17-10), who have won three consecutive games.

Hands up. Who had Thatcher Demko getting the goaltending call Wednesday in Music City? After all, with a pair of solid-showing victories by Kevin Lankinen, the Vancouver Canucks were expected to give the unflappable Finn the start against the Nashville Predators and a run of all three games on this road trip.

The surging Canucks have now passed the Calgary Flames by total points to claim the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. On the back of this small win streak, the Canucks are back in the thick of the playoff race with the fading Los Angeles Kings in their sights for third spot in the Pacific Division.