Bo Horvat’s overtime winner Friday has propelled the Vancouver Canucks to a 2-0 series lead over the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Horvat’s winner, and second of the night, came off a breakaway after receiving a perfect board pass from Quinn Hughes.
Hughes and Horvat lead all postseason skaters in this series with eight points apiece.
Blues vs. Canucks NHL Playoff Odds
As the Canucks switch to the home team for Game 3, they have the Blues on the ropes. Jordan Binnington’s troubles have continued as the sophomore goalie has a .905% save percentage during 5-on-5 play and a .862% save percentage overall.
St. Louis also hands their hands full with Vancouver’s powerplay, which is currently a league-best 32.1% this postseason. To make matters worse for the Blues, their penalty killing percentage is a postseason-worst 68%.
Even with the Blues’ 2-0 series deficit, oddsmakers currently have St. Louis as a -135 favourite to win Game 3 on Sunday.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues nearly dropped Game 2 in regulation if not for David Perron tipping in his team-leading third goal of the postseason in the dying seconds. Team goal scoring continues to be an issue for St. Louis as only seven Blues’ skaters have registered goals in the NHL bubble.
On a positive note, St. Louis got forward Sammy Blais back in Game 2, and Blais found the back of the net in his return in just 11:48 of ice time.
Given the circumstances, the Blues are the only defending NHL champions to drop their first five postseason games the following year. Craig Berube’s club can’t afford to extend that streak to six. The Blues and their veteran core need to dig deep in Game 3 to avoid a potential sweep Monday.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver has now pulled off five straight postseason wins, two of which coming in overtime. The Canucks’ top players are continuing to produce as Horvat leads the way with six goals in six games. Elias Pettersson and Tanner Pearson have contributed with three goals each, while Brock Boeser and and J.T. Miller have two goals themselves. Then there’s Hughes — the rookie defenceman tied for third among all postseason scorers.
Vancouver has not won a playoff series since 2011 against San Jose, but this young Canucks team is halfway there to knocking off the reigning Stanley Cup champs. It’ll only get tougher for Vancouver with a desperate St. Louis team hitting the ice Sunday.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Blues vs. Canucks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 15 Aug 2:06pm | STL | -1.5 +187 | O +5.5 -222 |
| Closing 17 Aug 2:46am | STL | -1.5 +186 | O +5 -128 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Blues Team Leaders
| Points |
61 |
| + / - |
15 |
| Shots |
225 |
| Penalty Mins |
52 |
| Wins |
30 |
| GAA |
2.15 |
| Points |
72 |
| + / - |
16 |
| Shots |
178 |
| Penalty Mins |
62 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
2.75 |
| Points |
11 |
| + / - |
3 |
| Shots |
38 |
| Penalty Mins |
17 |
| Wins |
2 |
| GAA |
1.89 |
| Points |
18 |
| + / - |
9 |
| Shots |
48 |
| Penalty Mins |
46 |
| Wins |
8 |
| GAA |
0.64 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canucks Team Leaders
| Points |
61 |
| + / - |
15 |
| Shots |
225 |
| Penalty Mins |
52 |
| Wins |
30 |
| GAA |
2.15 |
| Points |
72 |
| + / - |
16 |
| Shots |
178 |
| Penalty Mins |
62 |
| Wins |
23 |
| GAA |
2.75 |
| Points |
11 |
| + / - |
3 |
| Shots |
38 |
| Penalty Mins |
17 |
| Wins |
2 |
| GAA |
1.89 |
| Points |
18 |
| + / - |
9 |
| Shots |
48 |
| Penalty Mins |
46 |
| Wins |
8 |
| GAA |
0.64 |
Injuries
Carl Gunnarsson (D)
Alexander Steen (LW)
Vladimir Tarasenko (RW)
Alexander Steen (LW)
Sammy Blais (LW)
Vladimir Tarasenko (RW)
Robert Thomas (C)
Ivan Barbashev (C)
Alexander Steen (LW)
Vince Dunn (D)
Alexander Edler (D)
Zack MacEwen (C)
Tyler Myers (D)
Oscar Fantenberg (D)
Jay Beagle (C)
Micheal Ferland (LW)
Antoine Roussel (LW)
Adam Gaudette (C)
Tyler Toffoli (RW)
Jordie Benn (D)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Gunnarsson (D) | day-to-day | Undisclosed - 20 / 08 / 20 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Gunnarsson is tending to an unknown ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up for the next game. |
|||||
| Alexander Steen (LW) | day-to-day | Undisclosed - 16 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Steen is hampered by an unspecified injury, and it will impede his status going forward. |
|||||
| Vladimir Tarasenko (RW) | Out indefinitely | Shoulder - 16 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Tarasenko is away from the team for further evaluation on his surgically repaired left shoulder. He is without a definitive timetable for recovery. |
|||||
| Alexander Steen (LW) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 13 / 08 / 20 | 1-5 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Steen is bothered by an unspecified injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Canucks |
|||||
| Sammy Blais (LW) | Ques Fri | Leg - 09 / 08 / 20 | 1-6 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Blais has a right lower-leg injury, and it is unclear if it will impede his status for Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Canucks. |
|||||
| Vladimir Tarasenko (RW) | Prob Sun | Undisclosed - 08 / 08 / 20 | 1-6 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Tarasenko is managing an undisclosed injury, but will likely be available to face the Stars in the Western Conference round robin. |
|||||
| Robert Thomas (C) | Prob Sun | Undisclosed - 08 / 08 / 20 | 1-6 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Thomas has been dealing with an undisclosed issue, but is expected to draw back into the lineup versus the Stars in the Western Conference round robin. |
|||||
| Ivan Barbashev (C) | Ques Wed | Personal - 04 / 08 / 20 | 2-6 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Barbashev is away from the team due to the birth of his child, and it is uncertain if he will return to the lineup in time for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Canucks. |
|||||
| Alexander Steen (LW) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 31 / 07 / 20 | 2-6 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Steen is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Avalanche. |
|||||
| Vince Dunn (D) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 24 / 07 / 20 | 3-6 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Dunn sustained an undefined ailment, and he will miss an extended period. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Edler (D) | Prob Fri | Ear - 20 / 08 / 20 | 5-4 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Edler has a right ear laceration, but he is expected to lace up for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round against the Blues. |
|||||
| Zack MacEwen (C) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 20 / 08 / 20 | 5-4 | 4-5 | + - |
|
MacEwen is tending to an unspecified ailment, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Blues for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Tyler Myers (D) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 14 / 08 / 20 | 8-4 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Myers is sidelined with a slightly separated shoulder, and it is unknown if he will return to the fold in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round versus the Golden Knights. |
|||||
| Oscar Fantenberg (D) | Ques Wed | Undisclosed - 11 / 08 / 20 | 9-4 | 7-6 | + - |
|
Fantenberg is managing an unspecified injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Blues. |
|||||
| Jay Beagle (C) | Prob Wed | Hand - 10 / 08 / 20 | 9-4 | 7-6 | + - |
|
Beagle has a hand injury, but he is projected to take on the Blues in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Micheal Ferland (LW) | Out indefinitely | Concussion - 05 / 08 / 20 | 11-5 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Ferland is experiencing concussion-like symptoms, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
| Antoine Roussel (LW) | Ques Thurs | Face - 05 / 08 / 20 | 11-5 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Roussel is tending to a facial contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will line up for Game 3 of the Western Conference qualifying round against the Wild. |
|||||
| Adam Gaudette (C) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 04 / 08 / 20 | 11-5 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Gaudette is out of action due to an undefined ailment, and it is uncertain how long he will be idle. |
|||||
| Tyler Toffoli (RW) | Ques Tues | Foot - 04 / 08 / 20 | 11-5 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Toffoli is hampered by a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference second round. |
|||||
| Jordie Benn (D) | Prob Sun | Personal - 02 / 08 / 20 | 11-5 | 8-8 | + - |
|
Benn has been away from the team attending the birth of his child. It is projected that he will suit up in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Blues. |
|||||
-
ST. LOUIS BLUES
4 -
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
2
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 15 Aug 2:06pm STL -1.5 +187 O +5.5 -222 Closing 17 Aug 2:46am STL -1.5 +186 O +5 -128 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Blues Team Leaders
Points 61
+ / - 15
Shots 225
Penalty Mins 52
Wins 30
GAA 2.15
Points 72
+ / - 16
Shots 178
Penalty Mins 62
Wins 23
GAA 2.75
Points 11
+ / - 3
Shots 38
Penalty Mins 17
Wins 2
GAA 1.89
Points 18
+ / - 9
Shots 48
Penalty Mins 46
Wins 8
GAA 0.64
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Canucks Team Leaders
Points 61
+ / - 15
Shots 225
Penalty Mins 52
Wins 30
GAA 2.15
Points 72
+ / - 16
Shots 178
Penalty Mins 62
Wins 23
GAA 2.75
Points 11
+ / - 3
Shots 38
Penalty Mins 17
Wins 2
GAA 1.89
Points 18
+ / - 9
Shots 48
Penalty Mins 46
Wins 8
GAA 0.64
-
Injuries
Carl Gunnarsson (D)
day-to-day Undisclosed - 20 / 08 / 20Alexander Steen (LW)
day-to-day Undisclosed - 16 / 08 / 20Vladimir Tarasenko (RW)
Out indefinitely Shoulder - 16 / 08 / 20Alexander Steen (LW)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 13 / 08 / 20Sammy Blais (LW)
Ques Fri Leg - 09 / 08 / 20Vladimir Tarasenko (RW)
Prob Sun Undisclosed - 08 / 08 / 20Robert Thomas (C)
Prob Sun Undisclosed - 08 / 08 / 20Ivan Barbashev (C)
Ques Wed Personal - 04 / 08 / 20Alexander Steen (LW)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 31 / 07 / 20Vince Dunn (D)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 24 / 07 / 20Alexander Edler (D)
Prob Fri Ear - 20 / 08 / 20Zack MacEwen (C)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 20 / 08 / 20Tyler Myers (D)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 14 / 08 / 20Oscar Fantenberg (D)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 11 / 08 / 20Jay Beagle (C)
Prob Wed Hand - 10 / 08 / 20Micheal Ferland (LW)
Out indefinitely Concussion - 05 / 08 / 20Antoine Roussel (LW)
Ques Thurs Face - 05 / 08 / 20Adam Gaudette (C)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 04 / 08 / 20Tyler Toffoli (RW)
Ques Tues Foot - 04 / 08 / 20Jordie Benn (D)
Prob Sun Personal - 02 / 08 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Carl Gunnarsson (D) day-to-day Undisclosed - 20 / 08 / 20 1-1 1-1 + - Gunnarsson is tending to an unknown ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up for the next game.
Alexander Steen (LW) day-to-day Undisclosed - 16 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-2 + - Steen is hampered by an unspecified injury, and it will impede his status going forward.
Vladimir Tarasenko (RW) Out indefinitely Shoulder - 16 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-2 + - Tarasenko is away from the team for further evaluation on his surgically repaired left shoulder. He is without a definitive timetable for recovery.
Alexander Steen (LW) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 13 / 08 / 20 1-5 3-3 + - Steen is bothered by an unspecified injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be active for Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Canucks
Sammy Blais (LW) Ques Fri Leg - 09 / 08 / 20 1-6 4-3 + - Blais has a right lower-leg injury, and it is unclear if it will impede his status for Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Canucks.
Vladimir Tarasenko (RW) Prob Sun Undisclosed - 08 / 08 / 20 1-6 4-3 + - Tarasenko is managing an undisclosed injury, but will likely be available to face the Stars in the Western Conference round robin.
Robert Thomas (C) Prob Sun Undisclosed - 08 / 08 / 20 1-6 4-3 + - Thomas has been dealing with an undisclosed issue, but is expected to draw back into the lineup versus the Stars in the Western Conference round robin.
Ivan Barbashev (C) Ques Wed Personal - 04 / 08 / 20 2-6 4-4 + - Barbashev is away from the team due to the birth of his child, and it is uncertain if he will return to the lineup in time for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Canucks.
Alexander Steen (LW) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 31 / 07 / 20 2-6 4-4 + - Steen is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Avalanche.
Vince Dunn (D) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 24 / 07 / 20 3-6 4-5 + - Dunn sustained an undefined ailment, and he will miss an extended period.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Alexander Edler (D) Prob Fri Ear - 20 / 08 / 20 5-4 4-5 + - Edler has a right ear laceration, but he is expected to lace up for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round against the Blues.
Zack MacEwen (C) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 20 / 08 / 20 5-4 4-5 + - MacEwen is tending to an unspecified ailment, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Blues for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round.
Tyler Myers (D) Ques Sun Shoulder - 14 / 08 / 20 8-4 6-6 + - Myers is sidelined with a slightly separated shoulder, and it is unknown if he will return to the fold in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round versus the Golden Knights.
Oscar Fantenberg (D) Ques Wed Undisclosed - 11 / 08 / 20 9-4 7-6 + - Fantenberg is managing an unspecified injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Blues.
Jay Beagle (C) Prob Wed Hand - 10 / 08 / 20 9-4 7-6 + - Beagle has a hand injury, but he is projected to take on the Blues in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Micheal Ferland (LW) Out indefinitely Concussion - 05 / 08 / 20 11-5 8-8 + - Ferland is experiencing concussion-like symptoms, and there is no timetable for return.
Antoine Roussel (LW) Ques Thurs Face - 05 / 08 / 20 11-5 8-8 + - Roussel is tending to a facial contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will line up for Game 3 of the Western Conference qualifying round against the Wild.
Adam Gaudette (C) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 04 / 08 / 20 11-5 8-8 + - Gaudette is out of action due to an undefined ailment, and it is uncertain how long he will be idle.
Tyler Toffoli (RW) Ques Tues Foot - 04 / 08 / 20 11-5 8-8 + - Toffoli is hampered by a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference second round.
Jordie Benn (D) Prob Sun Personal - 02 / 08 / 20 11-5 8-8 + - Benn has been away from the team attending the birth of his child. It is projected that he will suit up in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Blues.