Boeser's hat trick helps Canucks rally, push Preds to brink of elimination

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brock Boeser had the best playoff game of his career at the perfect moment for the Vancouver Canucks.

Boeser had his first hat trick in the playoffs, then Elias Lindholm scored 1:02 into overtime as the Canucks stunned Nashville 4-3 on Sunday night grabbing a 3-1 lead to put the Predators on the brink of elimination in their best-of-seven, first-round series.

Lindolm beat goalie Juuse Saros over his stick with a wrister from just in front of the crease off a pass from Conor Garland.

“I was wide open right in front,” Lindholm said. “So, I mean, obviously we scored a goal and got kind of relief and a lot of emotions and lost my voice a little bit. But it’s a good feeling.”

Boeser scored on Vancouver’s first shot and got the Canucks into overtime scoring twice in the final 2:49. His third came with 8 seconds left in regulation to quiet a Nashville crowd that celebrated much of the third period. Boeser said he knew time was ticking down after he hit the post and had the puck again.