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Canucks: Positives and negatives from huge game 2 victory

By Brayden Ursel

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 04: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks scores a second period goal past Alex Stalock #32 of the Minnesota Wild in Game Two of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 04, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 04: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks scores a second period goal past Alex Stalock #32 of the Minnesota Wild in Game Two of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 04, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /
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Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

Positives

1. The Lotto line was great

Injuries or not, the Canucks needed to shake things up for game 2, and they did it in a big way by reuniting one of the most dynamic top lines across the National Hockey League. The Lotto Line consisting of Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Brock Boeser saw over 19 minutes of ice time together, created more than a dozen scoring chances, and combined for four points and one big playoff win.

Put together in a trio they proved to be too much to handle for the Minnesota Wild, and quite frankly, the score could have been a whole lot higher if it wasn’t for the top-notch goaltending from Alex Stalock. The 6-40-9 line isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. This is just the beginning.

2. Jacob Markstrom stood tall

He was good in game 1, but he was great in game 2. Jacob Markstrom returned to MVP form and helped Vancouver hold on to a tight 4-3 contest. He was the busier goalie of the two, stopping 32 of a possible 35 shots on target and posting a 0.914SV%.

He’s been beaten clean twice in two games by the same player from the same spot. Kevin Fiala has an absolute laser beam of a shot, and he uses it extremely well on the power play. If Marky can solve the Wild’s best player, Minnesota doesn’t stand a chance.

But other than Fiala having his number for the time being, Markstrom stood tall when it mattered most. Sprawling saves and numerous acrobatic stops was the perfect way for the Swedish netminder to earn his first playoff win.

3. Loui Eriksson did the little things

Despite what a lot of people think, Loui Eriksson was a great player to have on the Canucks “insurance line” this season, and fans got another chance to see him earn his paycheck in game 2. He wasn’t a difference-maker offensively by any means, but to his standards, he played one of his best games of the year.

Dropping jaws from all over the countries couches, the 35-year-old led all Canucks’ forwards in five-on-five ice time! Playing a pivotal role defensively, Eriksson totaled 20:07, which was more than the entire top line. He was arguably the Canucks best defensive forward.

Canucks: 3 positives and 3 negatives from game 1. dark. Next

The Canucks play again on Thursday at 11:30 Pacific. Don’t miss it!

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