VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Joel Ward scored two goals less than five minutes apart early in the third period and the Predators stayed alive against the Canucks with a 4-3 win last night in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal series.

David Legwand also scored twice, Pekka Rinne made 31 saves and Ward had three points for the Predators, who still trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series but will return home for Game 6 tomorrow night.

Ryan Kesler, who had his face stitched up after he was struck by a deflected puck, scored his second goal of the game with 3:46 left.

The Predators, in the second round for the first time in franchise history, won for the first time when facing elimination. They had been 0-5.

Coming off a two-point effort in a Game 4 loss, Ward one-timed a cross-ice pass from Mike Fisher past the blocker of Roberto Luongo to put Nashville ahead 3-2 at 1:14 of the third. He pounced on a turnover inside the left circle 4:31 later and quickly snapped a shot past Luongo’s glove to make it a two-goal lead.

Ward has four goals and six points in the last three games, and already has set franchise records with seven goals and 12 points in the playoffs.