Horvat hoping for an instant replay

THE BIG MATCHUP

Jordan Binnington vs. Bo Horvat

The Canucks captain ignited his team on Wednesday night, scoring twice on Binnington, who wasn’t good in a 5-2 loss. Horvat’s game has greatly improved over the past two weeks, which is perfect timing for Vancouver’s leader. “He’s a really good leader. You’ve seen it this whole playoffs,” Brock Boeser said. “We’re following him. To see him play like this, it’s unbelievable.” The Blues simply need much more from their young goalie, or they’ll be swapping him out for the capable Jake Allen.

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Markstrom magic

The Canucks’ No. 1 netminder returned to fine form in Game 1 against the Blues. He was poor by his own admission against the Wild in the qualifying series clincher last Friday. On Wednesday, he was seeing and tracking the puck much better. Some of that may have been the defensive work in front of him, but there’s no denying he was making mistakes against the Wild that suggested he might have been tired. The Canucks need him at his best to win this series.

2. Power play pop

The Canucks have scored on 28 per cent of their power play opportunities through five post-season games. No team has scored more goals with the man advantage than Vancouver in these playoffs. “We took six minors and that’s way too many,” Blues head coach Craig Berube said. “I talk a lot about confidence with you guys and I think our group is really confident right now,” Canuck forward Brock Boeser said Wednesday. “We feel we can score every single time.” A healthy power play is the second big key to success for the Canucks.

3. Fighting spirit

Troy Stecher’s goal sank the Blues emotionally, Berube admitted on Wednesday. The Canucks’ fighting spirit overwhelmed the defending Stanley Cup champions. “We can’t let one goal affect us the way it did,” Berube said.

4. Blues no stranger to opening losses

The Blues lost Game 1 of last year’s Stanley Cup finals and the Western Conference final. They’ve been in tougher spots than their current deficit before.

5. Miller time

J.T. Miller was a game-time decision Wednesday. Was he ill? Is he injured? We don’t know. All Canucks coach Travis Green would say is that Miller was unable to take part in the warmup. The Lotto Line didn’t play well in Game 1 and Miller’s borderline status was no doubt a factor.

SICK BAY

Canucks: Josh Leivo (fractured knee cap), Micheal Ferland (concussion symptoms), Tyler Toffoli (foot) Blues: Jay Bouwmeester (heart), Sammy Blais (leg) Patrick Johnston