VANCOUVER — The Nashville Predators pulled off a huge Game 2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, tying up the first-round series 1-1 and flipping the script as they head back to Nashville.

But the way they did it was unconventional, to say the least.

Though the Predators beat the Canucks 4-1, they played without the puck for the majority of the game. Vancouver owned possession, especially in the third period, on its way to 84 shot attempts in the game. Nashville blocked 30 of those, while goaltender Juuse Saros made 17 saves for his first playoff win since 2021.

Despite putting up four goals, the Predators managed just 16 shots on goal. It was their lowest shot total in a playoff win in franchise history, breaking the record of 17, set in 2012.

Conceding puck possession, generating few shots on goal and having to block that many shots in the playoffs? Not usually a recipe for success.

Here's what coach Andrew Brunette and Predators players had to say about their atypical win.

Andrew Brunette on what the Predators learned in Game 1 and 2

"We put a game away, but it's not always going to be pretty. It's going to be muddy. Game 1 was the same thing. It's a muddy game, and (the Canucks) do a good job defending. We're gonna have shifts in our own zone. It's not going to be perfect. I think we have some work to do a little bit, but at the same time that's good for our group.

"I think every game is going to feel like this, and it was good for us to feel it, a little bit. Even Game 1, when we lost that little stretch for 12 seconds, I think it was good for us. It's showing us we need a bit more. And we got a little bit more tonight."

Ryan McDonagh on the team's shot-blocking effort

"That's the level that we needed to raise from Game 1. That's a great sign. That's what we're going to need. Just keep building on that. Probably spent a lot of time in our zone, but it doesn't have to be pretty this time of year. Our group will be better next time in those situations and hopefully get the puck out a little better."

Filip Forsberg on defending for most the third period

"That third period is definitely not a recipe that we necessarily want to repeat for the whole series. But at the same time, (the Canucks) are doing a lot of good things too. So you've got to give them credit. But the sacrificing, the shot blocking was the reason, and the phenomenal goaltending as well."

Roman Josi on the team's defensive effort

"I feel like we sacrificed a lot tonight. In the third, they were pushing. We played a little too much defense. (Saros) was great, but everybody was getting in front of shots, was trying to block shots, and that's what you need in the playoffs."

Scoring for the Predators were Anthony Beauvillier (first period), Filip Forsberg and Colton Sissons (both in the second period) and Kiefer Sherwood with the empty netter with less two minutes to go in the game.

Nikita Zadorov scored for the Canucks in the second period.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators on 'muddy' NHL playoffs Game 2 win over Canucks