Vancouver Topples Blues In Game One

1st Period

The Canucks came out fast, getting the lion’s share of possession early on. The Blues still looked like they were stuck in quicksand. They were rewarded when Vince Dunn turned the puck over (miserable game for Dunn) and Brandon Sutter drew a penalty on Justin Faulk. On the ensuing power-play, Bo Horvat received a pass from Quinn Hughes and shot the puck under the cross-bar. The Blues started to find their game a little bit. They got a powerplay and David Perron with a blast ties it at one.

2nd Period

Both teams came out trading chances. Jaden Schwartz was all over the ice setting up Vladimir Tarasenko for several chances in tight. Ryan O’Reilly was doing a good job on the Elias Pettersson line, but the Horvat line was getting chances and the refs decided that five on five was getting too much fun and it was time to call some weak penalties.

First, it was the Blues’ turn to take one. On the power play, Pettersson with an absolute laser of a shot under the bar, and the Canucks took a 2-1 lead. Then Zack MacEwen got called for…….playing hockey I guess not quite sure. The Blues weren’t able to capitalize but they got some momentum. They used some of that momentum to get the tying goal. Schwartz was able to zip past the Canucks defense and score a nasty breakaway goal, putting the puck in between the legs of Markstrom.

3rd Period

St. Louis controlled the early play and the Canucks were on their heels a little bit. The best-sustained pressure the Blues have had since getting to Edmonton. It was all for naught though as Markstrom shut the door and the Canucks rebounded. Troy Stetcher flew up the boards after Tarasenko couldn’t get it out and put a puck past Binnington. The goal was one surely Binnington would like back but it was now 3-2 Vancouver. Stetcher lost his father back in June and pointed to the sky after scoring. For the Canucks it was a wonderful moment.

Vancouver wasn’t done, however. Bo Horvat entered the zone and proceeded to embarrass Vince Dunn as he scored and it was now 4-2 Vancouver. The Blues got some quality chances but were unable to put a puck on net. A late power-play goal by JT Miller put the game away Canucks pulled out the victory in Game One

Notes and Thoughts

Vancouver didn’t look to be intimidated by the defending Cup champs and they took it to St. Louis throughout parts of this game. A game one victory will get the group’s confidence to go up even further. Read the series preview here

Binnington looked terrible for most of the game. He was jumpy, not reading pucks well and two goals he would have had last year went in. He has rebounded after a loss well in the past but will need to be leaps and bounds better Friday.

This series appears like it could go for a while and might be the most entertaining of the opening round. If you can stay up for these ridiculous start times, at least in St. Louis Vancouver I know what time it in your beautiful city.

The Blues have been outscored 9-0 so far in the third period of their games in Edmonton.

Alex Steen and Sammy Blais were scratches for the Blues and are considered day to day by Craig Berube.

No matter who wins this series folks this Vancouver team is good and going to be good for a long, long time.

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