FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

Markstrom finding form

Whether it was the back-to-back, or four games in six days, Jacob Markstrom looked fatigued and was not sharp Friday in a 5-4 comeback overtime win to clinch the qualifying series. Details in his normally sound game went missing. The starter didn’t seal up the short side on the Wild’s first two goals, scrambled and was out of position on another goal and was then beat on the short side again off the rush. .

Lords of discipline

Staying out of the box is a post-season staple for success. The Canucks flirted with disaster against the Wild when defenceman Tyler Myers took nine penalties in the series. Battle minors are acceptable — if they negate scoring chances — but he took needless holding, interference and high-sticking penalties.

Draw more penalties

The Canucks had the fourth-ranked power play in the regular season and it could be a difference-maker because symmetry was better as the qualifier evolved. However, the Canucks went just 1-for-10 in the regularseason series against the Blues with Bo Horvat scoring, They had 13 shots on those 10 PP chances.

Bottom-six deliveries

Whether it was the rejuvenated Brandon Sutter, or just a better push from the third and fourth lines against the Wild, the Canucks will need their bottom six to be effective in shutdown roles and secondary scoring to upset the Stanley Cup champions.

A better Boeser

Boeser’s two goals in the qualifying round came from getting to the net. That was just as important as his nine series shots and another nine that were either blocked or just missed the mark.