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

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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Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks makes the second period save (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Vancouver Canucks makes the second period save (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

3.  Jacob Markstrom makes the big saves

It has been one of the stories of the Canucks’ season and it continued tonight. Jacob Markstrom made big saves to keep Vancouver in the game and lift them to victory. This game could have been a blowout if not for Markstrom’s heroics. Just like he has been all season. He was calm, cool, and poised in net making some ridiculous stops.

That includes this diving blocker save on Jacob de la Rose after the puck went off the linesman.

There were many more and all were huge especially in the third period because the Blues were poised to tie it up but Markstrom was dialed in. There is a reason why fans voted him team MVP. 36 saves on a night where he was absolutely peppered with shots. It really seems like the more shots he faces the better he plays.

Conclusion

The Blues showed their aggressive forecheck once again but the Canucks battled hard and countered it with goals, desperation, and energy. From the start, they looked hungry for victory and they got a huge one when it mattered most.

Next. Canucks: Gaudette could bring energy to lineup. dark

The Canucks have a chance to dethrone the Stanley Cup champions on Friday. Puck drop time is still undecided. Stay safe and celebrate responsibly. Avoid large gatherings, maintain social distancing, and wear a mask if you do go out to places where distancing is hard to follow.