Fansided

The Canucks are one win away from accomplishing something special

By Alex Hoegler |
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 19: The Vancouver Canucks celebrate their 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 19, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Canucks defeated the Blues 4-3. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 19: The Vancouver Canucks celebrate their 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 19, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Canucks defeated the Blues 4-3. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

Following a thrilling victory in Game 5, the Vancouver Canucks now find themselves just one win away from a franchise-defining moment.

Vancouver Canucks fans haven’t experienced this much excitement, nervousness and energy since 2011. It’s been a long time coming.

The qualifying round series victory over the Minnesota Wild was exhilarating to begin with. Fast forward two weeks later, and the young Canucks are now just a win away from accomplishing something even more remarkable: Dethroning the heavily favoured and defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues.

A 2-0 series lead evaporated within 24 hours. And just when it looked like St. Louis was about to cruise to victory on Wednesday, the Canucks rallied and tuned in perhaps their gutsiest victory since Game 5 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

Goalie Jacob Markstrom rose to the occasion with a plethora of monumental saves to kick start the comeback. He held off a flurry of chances from the resilient Blues in the third period, pushing the champions to the brink.

Tyler Motte (two goals, including the game-winner) and Jake Virtanen (the game-tying goal) came through when Vancouver needed it most. This was truly one of those games where everybody did their part.

Simply put, the character of head coach Travis Green’s team was perfectly on display in Game 5.

For many Canucks fans, simply defeating Minnesota to make the playoffs was a victory in itself. But this team isn’t satisfied enough. Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Bo Horvat, J.T. Miller and company are determined to make sure this journey doesn’t end any time soon.

All of this hard work, character and will power has the Canucks within one game of reaching the second round of the playoffs. Getting there by dethroning the defending champions would make it even more special.

Next. Canucks: three takeaways from 4-3 win over Blues. dark

One. More. Win. That’s all the Canucks need as they look to deliver this franchise another long overdue defining, iconic and unforgettable moment.

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