Canucks close in on glory

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The Vancouver Canucks are just one win from clean sweeping defending Stanley Cup champions Chicago after a 3-2 win in Monday's NHL action.

The Canucks lead the best-of-seven-game-series 3-0 after a terrific performance on the road at Chicago's United Center.

Vancouver, who had the best regular season record in the NHL this season, were knocked out of the playoffs in the last two seasons at the first attempt by Chicago and exacted the sweetest revenge with their victory.

But they had to start on the back foot, with Chicago's Duncan Keith opening the scoring after seven minutes.

Vancouver held out for the remainder of the first period and delivered a deadly double-salvo within one second-period minute, with Christian Ehrhoff's goal in the 11th minute followed by another just 54 seconds later from Daniel Sedin.

Chicago did equalise two minutes later through Patrick Sharp before Mikael Samuelsson struck the winner six minutes into the third and final period.

Roberto Luongo made 30 saves for the victors and was crucial in the victory, with the Canadian side having the chance to wrap up the series when the two sides next meet again.

In other matches, third-period goals to David Legwand and Mike Fisher gave the Nashville Predators a thrilling 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

The win puts the Predators 2-1 up in the series, with Fisher's goal his third of the playoff campaign so far.

Brandon Dubinsky scored the winning goal with just 99 seconds remaining to revive the New York Rangers playoff hopes, as they won 3-2 against the Washington Capitals.

Trailing 2-0 in the series, Dubinsky's scrappy late goal ensures that New York can square up the series when they host Game 4 on Wednesday.

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