In The Drivers Seat- Canucks Take Commanding 3-0 Series Lead

Before the series, the Blues said they wanted to make it a special teams game with the Canucks. With St. Louis among the best in penalty kill and power play, and the Canucks in the middle of the pack in both categories, this strategy made a lot of sense.  However, those are statistics and stats are for losers. Vancouver is proving that in the playoffs you can throw all the stats out the window; they mean little in post-season action. 

Special teams was the difference in game three as the Canucks scored all three of their goals on the power play with Ohlund, Daniel Sedin, and Bernier being the goalscorers. On the other side, the Blues missed several great power play opportunities, notably two five-on-three power plays that they failed to capitalize on. The Blues are now really behind the eight ball as they trail the series 3-0. 

The Blues came out firing in this one, banging around the Canucks' blue-liners in the first. They were rewarded with an early goal just over three minutes into the game, as David Backes took a great feed from Brad Boyes to beat Luongo, giving the Blues their first lead in this series.

The Blues were all over Vancouver in the first, out-shooting them 12-5 and really sending a message. However, despite the domination, they failed on a golden opportunity on a lengthy five-on-three that carried over afterwards with a four minute high sticking penalty to Willie Mitchell. 

In the second, Vancouver made them pay for the missed chances as they gave St. Louis a lesson in special teams, starting with Mattias Ohlund who scored on a one timer that Chris Mason would like to have back. A few minutes later they were suddenly up 2-1 when Daniel Sedin, on a five-on-three, found a loose puck in the crease for his second goal of the playoffs.

The Blues remained calm, tying the game late in the frame when Andy McDonald finally got on the score sheet as he fired a centering pass upstairs on Luongo. McDonald was by far the best Blue on the ice yet again, as he was all over the ice and buzzing in front of Luongo all night.

Once again it wasn't enough, as in the third on another man advantage Steve Bernier converted a feed from Henrik Sedin for a 3-2 lead. That was all the Canucks would need as Luongo shut the door once again the rest of the way. 

Mats Sundin missed the game due to a lower body injury, and Jannik Hansen took his spot in the lineup. Sundin is listed as day-to-day and should be back Tuesday as the Canucks look to sweep the Blues in four straight. 

After the game, Luongo had nothing but praise for his penalty killers who were the big stars in this game. "It was a huge difference," Luongo said. "We got some big goals and we killed some big ones off."  Despite being up 3-0, Luongo warns that this series is far from over,

"It's 3-0 and I think we still have to get to four," Luongo said. "So we've got a big one left to win and by no means are we going to think it's over.

"Those guys are not going to quit and we've got to make sure we bear down."

This is  a game Blues youngster BJ Crombeen will want to get out of his memory, as he took three undisciplined penalties including a silly one at the end of the second that led to Steve Bernier's game winner. The Canucks, despite a slow start, were able to adjust well in the second and third periods as they out-shot St. Louis 21-14 in the final two periods.  

Andy Murray and the Blues were left to wonder what would have been as they had only themselves to blame for their missed opportunities. "We look tight and nervous on the power play," coach Andy Murray said. "We've had over five minutes of 5-on-3 in this series and really have not been the threat that we want to be. We probably had four or five good chances on the 5-on-3, but that's not good enough against this goaltender." 

The Blues have now gone one for 17 on the power play in the series, not what they expected going into the series. On the other side, Alain Vigneault was really pleased with how his team responded to the Blues hits. "Our guys have been taking a lot of cheap shots so far during this series," Vigneault said. "To respond with three goals on the power play is pretty satisfying."

History is not on the side of the Blues, as in NHL history only two teams have ever come back from 3-0 deficits: the '75 Islanders and the '42 Maple Leafs. Paul Kariya, who was expected to play, was still ruled out and should he return it may be too little too late for the Blues' hopes this season.

The Canucks can wrap up the series Tuesday in St. Louis.