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Canucks: 3 takeaways from 4-3 Game 5 win over Blues

By Joshua Rey

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 19:Brandon Sutter #20 and Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrate their win 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:Brandon Sutter #20 and Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrate their win 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) /
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Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates his goal (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates his goal (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

2. Jake Virtanen has finally woken up

Fans and pundits have been criticizing Jake Virtanen for not being effective in the postseason so far. Many were wondering when he was going to start scoring or make some sort of impact. They got their answer last night with a great performance from the New Westminster native.

Virtanen got his first playoff point on an assist from JT Miller’s goal that made it 3-2. He helped Miller win the puck battle behind the net. Good body positioning, throwing his weight around to stay involved and make a big-time play to get the Canucks back in the game.

Later in the period, he tied the game at three apiece with his first playoff goal when he sniped one past Allen. With great footwork and elusiveness from Elias Pettersson, He was able to create time and space, work the puck around to the tape of Virtanen’s stick, who then (from down low) buried one short side.

Shotgun Jake’s goal broke Twitter as the beers were flowing and people were happy and relieved that Virtanen has finally stepped up. It was about time. A great individual effort from the 24-year-old.

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