2020 NHL Stanley Cup Series Review: (4) St. Louis Blues vs. (5) Vancouver Canucks

The defending champions St. Louis Blues entered the series on a dismal note, as this finished last in the round robin. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks rolled in after eliminating the Minnesota Wild in the qualifying round. Youth would beat out experience though, as the Canucks managed to take the series in six games, becoming the only Canadian team to make it to the second round.

Games

Vancouver Canucks - 5

St. Louis Blues - 2

An early powerplay help the Canucks take an early lead in this one. From the slot, Bo Horvat would one-time a pass past Jordan Binnington and into the Blues net. Despite multiple chances, it wasn't until late in the period when St. Louis managed to tie the game (on a powerplay no less). This time, it was David Perron who had the one-timer that found the back of the net. Both teams got powerplay chances early in the second, but either team managed to find a go-ahead goal on them. Vancouver did get a second powerplay opportunity shortly after their first ended, and made no mistake on it. A scramble saw the loose puck find it's way to Elias Pettersson, who roofed it over Binnington's glove. Just over a minute later, Jaden Schwartz found himself on the breakaway and slipped it through Jacob Markstrom to tie the game. About five-and-a-half minutes into the third, Vancouver would once again take the lead. Troy Stecher's shot found an opening just under Binnington's blocker en route to the net. Minutes later, Horvat deked around a Blues defender before putting it over Binnington's blocker to extend the Canuck's lead. St. Louis' best chance to get back in it came late with the goalie pulled, but Markstrom's second-effort pad kick was enough to stop the bouncing puck form going in. J.T Miller added a powerplay goal to cap off the scoring. Vancouver's 5-2 win gave them the first game of the series.

Vancouver Canucks - 4 (OT)

St. Louis Blues - 3

Both teams got chances early on, but neither could put them away. Same with powerplay chances. While the man advantage didn't work for the Blues, the man disadvantage did for the Canucks. Playing shorthanded, Horvat would take the puck down the ice, dance around a couple of Blues, and tuck it past Binnington to open the scoring. Vancouver found themselves in penalty trouble early in the second, but once again looked to have benefited from it. Coming out of the box, JT Miller was sprung on a breakaway and would deke out Binnington to extend the lead. Celebrations were short-lived though, as an offside challenge by St. Louis was successful, and the goal was called off. The Canucks special teams didn't give up though, as later in the period, Pearson scored on the powerplay to make it 2-0. It got physical late in the period. First, a couple of Zach/ks (Sanford and MacEwen) went at it after some jostling during a faceoff. Moments later, Jay Beagle went after Sammy Blais for a bad hit along the boards. The Blues got an powerplay out of the latter situation, resulting in Ryan O'Reilly wristing a shot past Markstrom. Pettersson restored the two-goal lead for the Canucks in the third, as he batted a rebound into the Blues net. Needing a break, St. Louis would get one four minutes later. Blais manged to intercept a pass in Vancouver's zone, take it in on Markstrom, and lifted a backhand over the Canucks goalie. The Blues pressed late, looking to send the game to overtime. With seven seconds left, they  would do just that, as Alex Pietrangelo's point shot was tipped by Perron, then bounced off the leg of Schwartz and into the back of the net. A review determined Perron did not tip the puck with a high stick, allowing the goal to stand. Overtime looked like it wouldn't last long, as the Blues had a couple good chances early into the extra frame. However, a couple of desperation saves by Markstrom kept the period going. Moments later, a partial breakaway by Horvat ended it, as the Canucks forward beat Binnington five-hole to win the game. The win gave Vancouver a 2-0 series lead.

St. Louis Blues - 3 (OT)

Vancouver Canucks - 2

It was a game of contrast, as a zero-goal first period gave way to an explosion of goals in the second. Vancouver got things going early in the period thanks to a powerplay, as a streaking Miller snapped it past Jake Allen. The Canucks had a few chances afterwards to extend the lead, but afield to do so. Just over eight minutes into the period, a tic-tac-toe play by St. Louis ended in Justin Faulk one-timing a pass into the Vancouver net to tie the game. The Blues would get their first lead of the series late in the period, as Perron took a pass from O'Rielly and snapped it over the shoulder of Markstorm. That lead lasted all of 37 seconds, as Pettersson scored to tie the game. Much like the first period, the third saw both team get some shots, but none finding the back of the net. Overtime was needed for the second game in a row. Chances were exchanged, but neither goalie was willing to give up the winning goal. Just over 15 minutes into the extra frame, Brayden Schenn become the hero St. Louis needed, as he snapped his breakaway attempt over Markstrom's glove to seal the game. The win was the Blues' first of the series.

St. Louis Blues - 3

Vancouver Canucks - 1

 

The first period was more eventful than the previous game's, but it still took a while for goals to happen. A powerplay late in the period help the Blues open the scoring. Pietrangelo's shot would careem off the boards and right to O'Rielly, who put home the puck from a difficult angle. The Canucks were buzzing early in the second, and were rewarded for doing so. Miller tipped Alex Edler's point shot past Allen to tie the game. Six minutes later, O'Rielly added his second of the game.The Blues forward would stickhandle his way into the slot and lift a backhander over Markstrom, restoring the lead for St. Louis.Not satisfied with just a one-goal lead, St. Louis started pouring it on, looking to extend the lead. A two-man advantage late in the period was what they needed, as some quick puck movement resulted in Pietrangelo's pass bouncing off a defender's stick and into the Canucks net. Vancouver could muster much of a comeback after that. St. Louis held on to take the game 3-1, tying the series in the process.

Vancouver Canucks - 4

St. Louis Blues - 3

Vancouver pressed early, looking to regain their series lead. An early powerplay didn't help much though. It wasn't until midway through the first when they broke through, as Tyler Motte took advantage of Pietrangelo breaking his stick. The Canucks forward deked around a stick-less Pietrangelo and beat a sliding Allen to give Vancouver the lead. St. Louis managed to tie the game two minutes later, as Schenn took a pass in the high slot and beat a screened Markstrom. Before the period ended, O'Rielly got the Blues in the lead, as his shot took a few bounced on its way over Markstrom's pad and into the net. The Blues almost had another one early in the second, as a dump-in attempt bounced off the linesman and to the front of the net. Jacob de la Rose's shot would be stopped by Markstrom though, as the Canucks goalie had to change plans from playing the dumped-in puck to making a desperation blocker save. The Blues got the better of Markstrom moments later, as Sanford's shot beat the goaltender's glove to extend St. Louis' lead. Vancouver responded six minutes later, as Miller jammed the puck into the Blues net. Later in the period Jake Virtanen managed to beat Allen from a difficult angle to tie the game. The period didn't end tied though. Just under tow minutes left, Motte stole the puck, raced into the Blues zone, and snapped it past Allen's blocker to give Vancouver the lead for the second time in the game. St. Louis tried to tie the game, and it looked like they may have done it before the end of the third period. Perron's shot was reviewed, and determined the puck had yet to cross the line before time expired. The win was Vancouver's third of the series, putting them one more away from the second round.

 

St. Louis Blues - 2

Vancouver Canucks - 6

 

The Canucks looked to put the series away early. Jay Beagle helped that cause, scoring just under four minutes in to put Vancouver in the lead. Despite the early shot advantage, the single goal was all they mustered. It was still better than the Blues, as they did apply the pressure in the later-half of the period, but came up empty. Things started to fall apart for the Blues in the second. A turnover two minutes into the second resulted in Roussel sneaking one by Binnington. Moments later, Virtanen had a chance ot extend the lead, but his wraparound attmept would be stopped. The Canucks wouldn't be denied for lone though, as seconds later, Stecher finished off a tic-tac-toe play. Not even two minutes later, Brock Boeser's one-timer on the powerplay made it 4-0, and ended Binnington's night. St. Louis did break the shutout in the third, as a point shot from Schwartz found its way though the pads of Markstrom. Vancouver restored the two-goal lead midway through the period, as Motte finished off a 2-on-1 by redirecting the pass into net. Outside of another Schwartz goal late in the third, St. Louis' comeback efforts would fall short. Motte added an empty netter to seal the game. Vancouver's 6-2 win secured them a spot in the second round.

Three Thoughts on the Series

1. Bo Knows Hockey
   
2. It's shocking to see how the Blues season was the reverse of last year (instead of worst to first, they basically went first to worst in the playoffs).
   
3. Best (fake) quote of the series.
   

Picture of the Series

That is veryclose to a goal. Great effort by Markstrom to keep it out.

Highlight of the Series

 

Again...Bo Knows Hockey.

 

 

 

Rick Nash would be proud.