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.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Linus Karlsson scored his first NHL goal and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 3-1 on Wednesday night. Nils Hoglander and Pius Suter also scored, and Quinn Hughes had two assists and for the Canucks, who have won three straight. Thatcher Demko made 31 saves.

Throughout his career with Vancouver, Karlsson has found plenty of success in the AHL. He has 59 goals and 127 points in 149 games and holds the Abbotsford Canucks all-time record for career points. So far this season, Karlsson has 18 points in 17 games, which ranks tied for fifth on the team.