The Vancouver Canucks defeated the St. Louis Blues in Game 2 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canucks also won Game 1 with a score of 5-2. Here is the recap of Game 2 between the Canucks and Blues.
St. Louis: Niko Mikkola, Ivan Barbashev, Derrick Pouliot, Jake Walman, Jordan Kyrou, Mackenzie MacEachern, Ville Husso, Austin Poganski, Robert Bortuzzo, Klim Kostin, Jacob de la Rose
Vancouver: Louis Domingue, Olli Juolevi, Brogan Rafferty, Adam Gaudette, Jordie Benn, Micheal Ferland, Tyler Toffoli, Jalen Chatfield, Justin Bailey
The Canucks continued where they left off from Game 1 as captain Bo Horvat scored the game’s first goal shorthanded. Other than that, the game was back and forth along with more physicality from both sides.
Vancouver went into the second period with a 1-0 lead.
The Blues came out stronger this period getting good scoring chances early on. Their momentum was slowed down when Canucks forward J.T. Miller came out of the penalty box to score a goal. Unfortunately, the goal was waived due to the play being offside. However, the Canucks would get a goal on a power play from forward Tanner Pearson. But, the Blues would make a late push during their power play and forward Ryan O’Reilly cut the lead to one heading into the third period.
Vancouver went into the third period with a 2-1 lead.
Again, the Blues came out of the intermission wanting to have a strong start. And, they did by getting good looks to the net but couldn’t stuff the puck across the goal line. The Canucks would also score on another power play from forward Elias Pettersson 5:36 into the period. However, Blues forward Sammy Blais cut the lead down to one again 3:26 after Pettersson’s goal. From there, the Blues were looking to force the game into overtime and they did. With just 6.4 seconds left, Blues forward Jaden Schwartz tipped the puck in the net to tie the game at three. The goal would be reviewed by the officials and the call stood as a good goal.
The game was tied at three heading into overtime.
The Blues came close to winning their first game this postseason but they couldn’t get the puck past Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom. And, all that defense paid off for the Canucks as Horvat scored his second goal of the game to win it in overtime.
Vancouver won the game 4-3 and extended their series lead 2-0.
Third Star: David Perron (2 assists)
Second Star: Jacob Markstrom (34 saves)
First Star: Bo Horvat (2 goals)
Vancouver let up a little bit defensively this game but their offense made up for it. The Canucks also didn’t have defenseman Tyler Myers after he sustained an apparent injury 1:46 into the third period. He went headfirst into the boards from a hit by Blues forward Brayden Schenn. Nonetheless, Horvat continues to lead his team as they go into Game 3 being up two games to none this series.
On the other hand, St. Louis has yet to post a win this postseason. What happened to this Blues team is beyond anyone’s thought. They need to figure out what strategies need to change whether it’s offensively or defensively. Maybe a goalie change might be in need in a situation like this. But, something needs to change and it needs to be changed quickly. Otherwise, there’s probably going to be a new champion this season.
Game 3 between the Canucks-Blues is on Aug. 16 at 10:30 pm EST.
