Canucks can’t take bait against the battling Blues

The Canucks vs. The Bait

THE BIG MATCHUP

There are many sides to the pursuit of playoff excellence and the mental side can be just as intimidating as the physical demands.

In 2011, the banged-up and emotionally-spent Vancouver Canucks lost the psychological war with the Boston Bruins after building 2-0 and 3-2 series leads in the Stanley Cup Final and falling in seven games.

Fast forward and there is some similarity as the speedy, big and bad Blues are testing the Canucks’ mettle to try to get back in the first-round series.

Whether it’s targeting playoff newbies in the electrifying Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes with an extra check, shove, slash or punch to curtail the will of the offensive catalysts — or taking runs at anybody regardless of experience or stature — the Blues are banking on the Canucks to crumble at some point. Could be a long wait. The Canucks seem all in, no matter what.

“You have to stay pretty level-headed, but there’s the other sense where you have to stick up for your teammates as well,” said fourth-line centre Jay Beagle, who won a Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018.

“You make decisions quick and you live and die by them. We have an all-in mentality and guys stick up for each other. We have a tight group in the room and we have a pack mentality and it’s a fun one to be on board with.”

Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues 7:30 p.m., Rogers Place TV: Sportsnet Radio: Sportsnet 650

Beagle took offence to Sammy Blais running Brandon Sutter from behind in Game 2 on Friday. The feisty Blues winger received a roughing minor and Beagle a double minor for taking issue with the hit. The Canucks had a 2-0 lead at that point late in the second period, but on the ensuing power play, Ryan O’Reilly scored and the Canucks had to rally to win 4-3 in overtime.

“They’re a big and physical team and looking back, I don’t think it was the smartest play by me,” said Beagle. “And if I were to do it over again, I don’t think I’d do it quite as quick and not take the four minutes. That obviously can change a game pretty quick.”

Said coach Travis Green: “It’s a fiery, competitive game. Guys will go the aid of their teammates and Beags probably felt there was going to be a penalty on the hit.”

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

1.

Using Hughes shot

Quinn Hughes doesn’t get enough credit for his added power-play element. As much as he can walk the line to buy time and find the right passing option, the Calder Trophy finalist has become much better at getting his shots through, or having them tipped to create rebounds.

2.

Pettersson defending

The Canucks are the home team and Green should be able to get Pettersson away from the O’Reilly matchup. What Pettersson can’t get away from is his strong 200-foot game that saved Game 2 with shot blocks in OT. His tenaciousness has an infectious effect on Brock Boeser to play a total game.

3.

Feeding bumper-boy

Bo Horvat is feeling it on every conceivable level and should be the first go-to option on the PP. By using his edges and making quick and smart pivots, the captain is finding open slot spaces in the bumper position for a quick releases. He’s also good at pivoting and finding open gunners.

4.

Getting to Perron

The best way to get to the irritating and effective David Perron is to play the winger hard, so he takes penalties instead of drawing them to help ignite a struggling Blues’ PP. Tough task with the way he drives the net and drives the opposition crazy.

5.

Ride Motte train

For added inspiration, the Canucks don’t have to look further than unsung fourth-line winger Tyler Motte. who is a first-pairing penalty kill king, a speedy and fearless forechecker, willing hitter and effective 5-on-5.

POSSIBLE LINEUPS CANUCKS Forwards

J.T. Miller — Elias Pettersson — Brock Boeser

Tanner Pearson — Bo Horvat — Loui Eriksson

Antoine Roussel — Brandon Sutter — Jake Virtanen

Tyler Motte — Jay Beagle — Zack MacEwen

Defence

Alex Edler — Troy Stecher Quinn Hughes — Chris Tanev Oscar Fantenberg — Jordie Benn

Goal

Jacob Markstrom — Thatcher Demko

BLUES Forwards

Jaden Schwartz — Brayden Schenn — Vladimir Tarasenko

Zach Sanford — Ryan O’Reilly — David Perron

Sammy Blais — Robert Thomas — Tyler Bozak

Alexander Steen — Oskar Sundqvist — Troy Brouwer

Defence

Carl Gunnarson — Alex Pietrangelo

Marco Scandella — Colton Parayko

Vince Dunn — Justin Faulk

GOAL

Jordan Binnington — Jake Allen

INJURIES

Canucks: Tyler Myers (shoulder), Tyler Toffoli (foot), Micheal Ferland (concussion symptoms), Josh Leivo (fractured kneecap).

Blues: Jay Bouwmeester (heart).

SPECIAL TEAMS (before Game 3)

Power play Canucks: 1st (32.1%) Blues: 16th (14.3%) Penalty kill Canucks: 11th (83.9%) Blues: 24th (68.0%)