NHL Playoffs 2011: Canucks-Blackhawks Postgame, Look Ahead to Game 2

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NHL Playoffs 2011, The Vancouver Canucks take Game 1 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoff matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks. All of the scoring occurred in the 1st period of action, but the game had many high and low points throughout.

The 2-0 victory for the Vancouver Canucks really was a result of the brilliant play that they displayed in the 1st period, and the superb play of goaltender Roberto Luongo throughout.

The Blackhawks came out flat and could not match the intense and well-prepared play of the Canucks from the get-go. But, at the second and third period came about it was clear that the Blackhawks began to play with a sense of fluency and passion.

There were numerous shots that nearly went home for the Blackhawks that would be turned away by the goalposts, and also bad passes broke up possible breakaways. But, one thing that cannot be misstated was the great play of Roberto Luongo in net for the Canucks.

Luongo notched the playoff shutout to get things going for Vancouver, and if in fact that go on to make run to the Cup; this game will be looked at as the catalyst and jumping off point from which it happened.

From this point it looks as if the Canucks have a clear upper hand as the Blackhawks seemed beat up with in-game injuries to both Ryan Johnson and Tomas Kopecky. It is unknown at this point what their status is going forward, but the Canucks remain unscathed in every capacity.

The Blackhawks are going to need to strike early and often in Game 2 to make a dent in the impact that the Canucks made with the 2-0 victory in Game 1.

Thank you for following today's coverage of the first game of the playoff matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks. Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for the latest news on the series and all NHL action.

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