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. Demko had lost four of his previous five starts (1-4-0).

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.

Even as the speculation, reports and frustration among Canucks fans have reached a fever pitch, however, the Canucks have quietly put together a trio of strong efforts in a row. It’s their best sustained stretch from both a work rate and results perspective since November.