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.

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.

The Nashville Predators' attack has lost its potency again, especially on the power play, which went 0-for-3 against the Vancouver Canucks.

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.

The Nashville Predators take on the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday. Follow for live updates.

Canucks anthem singer Jugpreet Bajwa is feeling rattled but generally alright after being struck by a car in Vancouver this week.

It seems inevitable that the Canucks will end up with a franchise-changing trade in the coming weeks. Can the Leafs take advantage of it?

Analysts say that the Vancouver Canucks' season could be on thin ice a few days after the team's president confirmed a rift between two of its best forwards.

Bronny James got the surprise call to play in the first quarter for the Lakers and finished with the first serious playing time of his NBA career. Bronny took off on a fast break and his shot was rejected by Adam Bona. Bronny played 15 minutes just four days after he dropped a career-high 31 points for the South Bay Lakers of the G League.

Carolina Panthers great Ryan Kalil is back in the game. As announced on Monday, the former All-Pro center and six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin have acquired a majority stake in Fundidores, an American football team based in Monterrey, Mexico. Kalil and Griffin, also… The dads, brads and chads are at it again.