Vancouver Canucks: Takeaways from 6-1 win over St. Louis Blues

Well, that was the offensive outburst we were looking for. The Vancouver Canucks pummeled the St. Louis Blues 6-1 on Monday. Here’s what we learned from the dominant victory.

The Vancouver Canucks followed up Thursday’s victory with a dismantling of the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, leaving with a 6-1 victory that was highlighted by big games from their two young stars.

Brock Boeser had a hat trick, while rookie Elias Pettersson enjoyed an incredible five-point night (one goal, four assists). The victory moves Vancouver to 13-16-3 on the season, and they’ll try to maintain the momentum in Tuesday’s road contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Here are three things we learned from their blowout victory on Sunday.

1. Jacob Markstrom stays hot

After a fine performance against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, Jacob Markstrom tuned in one of his best outings in a Vancouver uniform. He turned aside 22 of 23 saves and looked all the more confident in this victory.

Markstrom looked excellent in the recent home-and-home vs. the Los Angeles Kings as well, allowing just four total goals in the two games. With the exception of the Nov. 29 home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Markstrom has looked on point in the last two weeks now.

For now, bringing up Thatcher Demko isn’t urgent. Markstrom is doing just fine in the crease.

2. Brock Boeser returning to form

Brock Boeser had himself a day on Sunday, registering a hat trick and pacing Vancouver to the 6-1 route. After registering just one assist in his previous three outings, Boeser returned to the All-Star form and exposed the Blues’ defence game long.

Boeser missed almost a month with a groin injury. Before that, he was easing himself back from a scary back injury sustained late last season. Finally, Boeser looks healthy and at full force again. At least, he did on Sunday.

We saw (again), just how much of a difference ‘The Flow’ can make on the ice. If he stays healthy, the Canucks simply have a chance to win any game. Boy, are he and Pettersson ever a fun duo to watch?

3. Elias Pettersson is back on track

Some were worried when Elias Pettersson went on a “cold streak,” which meant scoring one goal over a seven-game span. Pettersson rebounded nicely in Thursday’s victory over the Predators, notching a goal and an assist.

Pettersson had another jaw-dropping performance on Sunday — the finest of his young career. The Calder Trophy favourite had one goal and four assists, and the usually stingy St. Louis defence just had no answer for him.

Fair or unfair, the Canucks only seem to score and win games if Pettersson is at his best. Thankfully, he’s been on his A-game over the last two contests, hence why Vancouver has consecutive victories.

We’re truly witnessing something special in Pettersson right now. You get the feel that the Calder Trophy voting will be the most lopsided of the 21st century, should he maintain this incredible play.