Canucks 5, Predators 2: Ryan Kesler scored twice as visiting Vancouver recovered from squandering a two-goal lead to hand Nashville its seventh straight loss.

Derek Roy had a goal and an assist while Alex Burrows and defenseman Jason Garrison also scored for the Northwest Division-leading Canucks, who remained five points ahead of Minnesota. Roberto Luongo stopped 36 shots in his second start in three games as Vancouver won for the fifth time in six contests.

Nick Spaling and Bobby Butler tallied in the second period for the Predators, who fell to 1-8-2 in their last 11 contests and officially were eliminated from postseason contention.

Garrison, who has six points in his last six games, snapped a 2-2 tie during a power play with 2:58 left in the second period as he unleashed a one-timer from the point that eluded a screened Pekka Rinne (19 saves). Burrows deflected a shot past Rinne 50 seconds into the third to extend the advantage.

Kesler, who has six points in four games since returning from a broken foot, opened the scoring on a power play 1:34 into the game as Vancouver finished 2-for-3 with the man advantage. Roy added to the lead three minutes later with his first goal in six games with the Canucks.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Nashville missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons after advancing to the second round in its last two. ... Vancouver C Henrik Sedin, LW Daniel Sedin and RW Jannik Hansen had two assists apiece. ... The Predators tied the franchise-record losing streak, which was set from Nov. 20-Dec. 9, 1999.