Five years ago today, the Vancouver Canucks took a 2-0 lead in their series against the St. Louis Blues during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. This came after the Canucks swept the Minnesota Wild in a four-game qualifying round to officially enter the playoffs.
Vancouver faced a tough challenge in their first playoff appearance since 2015, tasked with defeating the defending Stanley Cup champions and a strong Blues team known for their offensive prowess, which had previously overcome the Boston Bruins in seven games to secure their first championship. For the Canucks, winning this series would validate their regular-season success as more than just luck.
Game 1 was an exciting start for Canucks fans. The match remained intense until the third period. Vancouver’s captain, Bo Horvat, scored the opening goal on a power play within the first five minutes. About ten minutes later, David Perron evened the score at 1-1 by the end of the first period. Elias Pettersson gave Vancouver another power play goal, but Jaden Schwartz quickly responded to tie it up again.
Despite the 2-2 score entering the third period, Vancouver took control. Just over five minutes into the final frame, Troy Stecher scored the game-winning goal. Horvat added another three minutes later, followed by JT Miller’s third power play goal of the match, securing a 5-2 win for Vancouver in Game 1.
In Game 2, the atmosphere was more tense. Horvat scored early, giving Vancouver the lead seven minutes into the first period. Tanner Pearson extended the Canucks’ lead with a power play goal, making it 3-1 in the playoffs. Ryan O’Reilly narrowed the gap on a power play, putting the Blues within one goal heading into the third period.
Pettersson scored his third power play goal again, restoring Vancouver’s two-goal lead. However, Sammy Blais and Schwartz both scored late, closing the game to 4-3. Horvat finished the game with a winning goal assisted by Quinn Hughes in the final moments, marking his sixth goal and second of the postseason.
A few days earlier, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets played a grueling five-overtime game, but Vancouver and St. Louis fans were spared such a lengthy battle this time.
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Fan Take: This moment remains significant for hockey fans as it spotlighted the Canucks’ potential to challenge elite teams and renewed excitement around their postseason journey. Such playoff performances fuel the passion for the sport and highlight the drama and skill that make hockey compelling.
