Erat Hat Trick Helps Nashville Take Canucks 4-2

The Nashville Predators beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 for Nashville's first victory at home against the Canucks for the first time in 3 years and Preds right winger Martin Erat scored the second hat trick of his eight year NHL career.

Erat beat Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo at 4:19 of the 1st banking in a spin around shot from behind the net that bounced off Canucks' defenseman Willie Mitchell and behind Luongo. The Predators' right winger struck again in the 2nd period with a power play marker as the Canucks were in the middle of a sloppy change opening up the slot area in front of Luongo. Erat slipped the puck under the Canucks goalie to put Nashville up 2-0 at 3:03. Vancouver's Ryan Kesler scored his 6th of the season on a two man advantage as the Sedin twins combined to set him up in front of Preds netminder Pekka Rinne. That was Kesler's first goal in his last 15 games.

Patric Hornqvist tapped in a goal crease pass from captain Jason Arnott for a power play goal at 11:27 of the 3rd period to restore Nashville's two goal lead. Canucks left winger Daniel Sedin scored his 3rd of season at 16:25 to get Vancouver nack to within one. That was Sedin's 9th point in his last 8 games since returning from injury.

The Predators put Vancouver away with Erat's hat trick goal, an empty-netter at 18:54 of the 3rd period.

With the win, Nashville is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and sit 2nd overall in the Central Division with 36 points, 3 behind the Chicago Blackhawks. Vancouver meanwhile, has dropped their last 2 games and sit 3rd in the Northwest, 2 points up on the Edmonton Oilers.

Both teams have home games on Thursday, with Nashville facing the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Vancouver hosting the Atlanta Thrashers.