NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ryan Kesler seems to be trying to carry the Vancouver Canucks into the Western Conference finals almost singlehandedly.

Kesler broke a tie with a power-play goal at 7:28 of the third period for his second straight game-winner, and the Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 Thursday night to grab a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Kesler now has six points in helping the Canucks win both games in Nashville.

"Right now, he's their best player bar none," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said.

Kesler's game-winning goals have come on power plays he set up by drawing penalties.

He won Game 3 in overtime after drawing a hooking penalty on Weber. This time, Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter was called for holding after he put an arm around Kesler's neck and took him down, and he celebrated his clinching goal by putting both arms up in the air.

"It was a great breakout on the power play," Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said. "It was an amazing goal by a player whose will to win right now is very strong, and he is competing very hard."

Now the Canucks return home for Game 5 on Saturday night with a chance to clinch, which is what they set out to do when they flew to Nashville last Sunday.