28-0-1 against the Leafs.
Now this game is remarkable for a couple very important reasons.
First: The Canucks had jumped out to a 3-0 lead halfway through the first period. This lead was gone halfway through the second. Very reminiscent of last year's team -- get a big lead early, completely collapse down the stretch. I was half expecting Toronto to win this game in the third.
But this year's team is built different and didn't wince from the demoralizing prospect of blowing a 3-goal lead. Before the 2nd period was out, just when it seemed like Toronto had all the confidence and momentum, the Canucks got the lead back thanks again to the Lifeline of Bluegar/Joshua/Garland. Toronto did score in the third, but it seemed Vancouver was not interested in playing in OT against arguably the most lethal forward group in the league and put it to rest before it came to that.
Secondly: What I found interesting is the way Vancouver got it done. This felt like a playoff game. This might be the type of game they will play in four months. I've been saying for years that the best 3rd and 4th lines in hockey wins the Cup. With the tighter checking and less powerplays, the top two lines tend to shadow and neutralize each other 5v5. Therefore, the 3rd line who is not facing the top opponents line or the best D-pairing has the advantage of scoring those timely goals in game 7s and OTs.
You see this every playoffs. These unsung heroes who don't get recognition because they're not in the Art Ross race or they don't have big sexy contracts, scoring timely goals that win games, OTs, and entire series. Claude Lemieux never won a scoring title, but he earned something far more precious: The monicker "Mr May". Dustin Penner and Dustin Brown were nobodies in the regular season. They were GWG beasts in the playoffs.
The post-season is where the third line steps up. And right now, as was seen tonight, just when the Canucks were at their lowest, the third line throws them a Lifeline and wakes them up.
As we'll see in three months: The Canucks have the best third line in hockey,