Predators avoid elimination for now with 4-3 win

Joel Ward scored two goals less than five minutes apart early in the third period as the Nashville Predators avoided elimination for the first time in team history with a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series. The Predators, in the second round for the first time in franchise history, had been 0-5 in elimination games.

David Legwand also scored twice, Pekka Rinne made 31 saves, and Ward had three points for the Predators, who still trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, but will return home for Game 6 on Monday night.