CanucksArmy THE PLAYOFF GAMEDAY: Canucks vs. Blues G5
By Always90four
3 years agoTHE INTRO
Alright, I think we’ve all had about enough with the St. Louis Blues. This series was going just fine before they were agitated to the point of retaliation via goal scoring. It’s not a good look for anyone.
Vancouver has hopefully utilized their day off and recharged the batteries. How they’ll answer back to the one-two punch the Blues have dealt them has yet to be determined but Travis Green better have an answer for Craig Berube’s squad that has taken over the series now tied at 2.
The Canucks will have to keep the game close at even strength and capitalize on the man-advantage. There is no other way.
This is the way
Let’s Do This!™
TV / RADIO / PUCK DROP
SN / SN 650 / 7:30 PM PST
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
The odds for tonight’s game are: VAN +125/ STL -145 courtesy of OddsShark.com
LINEUPS
Adam Gaudette is getting in this game, for whom, we do not know. Also expect a seventh defenseman to suit up. They need the legs in this one.
Jacob Markstrom has been a rock star in this series. Can’t wait to see what he does tonight.
CANUCKS lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 J.T. MILLER Rating: 78.5#7 LW |  ELIAS PETTERSSON Rating: 77.7#14 C |  BROCK BOESER Rating: 74.1#41 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 76.78#11 FL1 |
 TANNER PEARSON Rating: 73.7#38 LW |  BO HORVAT Rating: 74.8#34 C |  LOUI ERIKSSON Rating: 69.7#123 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 72.73#24 FL2 |
 ANTOINE ROUSSEL Rating: 71.0#97 LW |  BRANDON SUTTER Rating: 70.1#131 C |  ZACK MACEWEN | FL3 Rating Rating: 70.58#25 FL3 |
 TYLER MOTTE Rating: 68.8#144 LW |  JAY BEAGLE Rating: 68.4#163 C |  JAKE VIRTANEN Rating: 72.0#78 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 69.73#23 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 ALEXANDER EDLER Rating: 74.3#26 LD |  TROY STECHER Rating: 71.9#63 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 73.11#23 DL1 |
 QUINN HUGHES Rating: 75.2#15 LD |  CHRIS TANEV Rating: 71.0#90 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 73.12#16 DL2 |
 OSCAR FANTENBERG Rating: 70.9#100 LD |  JORDIE BENN Rating: 70.9#101 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 70.90#26 DL3 |
Vladimir Tarasenko has gone back to St. Louis to be re-evaluated. Sammy Blais is fine after eating multiple punches from Antoine Roussel. The Blues are ready to go.
Jake Allen will once again start for the Blues. Not a fan of this decision.
BLUES lines courtesy of Dailyfaceoff.com:
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 JADEN SCHWARTZ Rating: 77.0#12 LW |  RYAN O’REILLY Rating: 75.8#28 C |  DAVID PERRON Rating: 75.3#27 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 76.04#13 FL1 |
 JORDAN KYROU Rating: 72.9#62 LW |  BRAYDEN SCHENN Rating: 76.6#22 C |  TYLER BOZAK Rating: 73.0#59 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 74.18#7 FL2 |
 ZACH SANFORD Rating: 73.3#43 LW |  ROBERT THOMAS Rating: 72.7#66 C |  SAMMY BLAIS Rating: 70.6#105 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 72.21#11 FL3 |
 OSKAR SUNDQVIST Rating: 72.2#76 LW |  JACOB DE LA ROSE Rating: 68.2#148 C |  MACKENZIE MACEACHERN Rating: 69.5#129 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 69.98#22 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 CARL GUNNARSSON Rating: 72.6#60 LD |  ALEX PIETRANGELO Rating: 78.5#4 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 75.55#9 DL1 |
 MARCO SCANDELLA Rating: 72.3#66 LD |  COLTON PARAYKO Rating: 76.9#11 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 74.63#5 DL2 |
 VINCE DUNN Rating: 76.0#10 LD |  JUSTIN FAULK Rating: 74.1#30 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 75.07#1 DL3 |
GAME NOTES, STATS, AND KEYS TO VICTORY
- Not for lack of trying, but going 0/7 on the PP is cause for concern. The Canucks have feasted with the man-advantaged this postseason but have recently run into some trouble against the Blues. Vancouver needs to keep their passes quick and keep Allen moving east/west. It’s going to be tough to beat the Blues at evens so the power play is the route they’ll have to take.
- Bo Horvat has done it all in this series: even-strength, power-play, short-handed, overtime and game-winning goals have all come off his stick since the Quarterfinal began. He has the highest shooting percentage of any of his teammates. Bo Is having a series to remember but he’ll need to keep it up.
- Tyler Motte has been a lot of fun to watch but he’s averaging over 17 minutes a game. That’s too much for a guy that far down the lineup. Some of that is due to PK duties but there is room for players like Jake Virtanen to be called upon a bit more. The role players are at their best when they’re role players, not minute-munchers.
- Has Jacob Markstrom cemented his status as a core part of this Canucks team? He’s earning every part of his next contract and without him, Vancouver is pretty much done in this series. He’s already faced an onslaught of pucks but it’s the second and third saves that are keeping the Canucks alive. The loss of Tyler Myers in this series is being felt by more than just the wary defense; Markstrom needs him too!
- Loui Eriksson has eight shots this series with no goals to show for it. He’s just behind the team leaders so might we see what I’m dubbing “The Loui Game™?” Stay tuned. #thelouigame
THE TWITTER TAKE
I love this guy’s take so hard! Kevin, you’re awesome!
MY 94 CENTS
The Canucks need to return to being the agitator. They need to limit time in their own zone and they need to score and score often. Vancouver has the weapons to score, they might not win the physical battle but they can win with smarts.
St. Louis isn’t going to simply push over, they’re the Champs. I hope they put more bodies on Jake Allen and make it frustrating to do his job.
There is a win available to the Canucks. They have to take it.
AND ONE MORE THING…
When will Brock Boeser score again?
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