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.

Thatcher Demko made 31 saves and Linus Karlsson scored his first NHL goal in the Vancouver Canucks' 3-1 road win over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday.

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.