The Vancouver Canucks core players came to play on Thursday.
Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves to record his first career playoff shutout and Quinn Hughes had three assists as the Canucks beat the Minnesota Wild 3-0 in game three of their play-in series.
❌🚨❌ @j_markstrom appreciation tweeeeeet pic.twitter.com/tHHNvnwDYk
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 6, 2020
For the second straight game, Vancouver was the better team on the ice and it was because of the effort from the full roster, not just a select few.
Brock Boeser opened the scoring in the middle frame and Elias Pettersson sealed the game with a powerplay goal, his first career playoff tally, late in the third period.
First career playoff goal for @_EPettersson!!! pic.twitter.com/WD8IWoNwLo
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 6, 2020
Bottom six winger Antoine Roussel had the other Canucks goal, while fourth liners Tyler Motte and Brandon Sutter might have been the two best forwards on the ice today.
Motte led the way with seven blocked shots for the Canucks, while Sutter came to the aid of his goalie in the third period when Wild star Kevin Fiala gave Markstrom a bit of a shove.
The best angle of Fiala touching Markstrom and then getting gang beat by the #Canucks. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/mB4kYsqoNO
— Grady Sas (@GradySas) August 6, 2020
Vancouver has a chance to close out the series and advance with a win on Friday night and we’re back to an evening start, as the puck drops at 7:45 pm PT.
If the Wild win, the series will go to a fifth and deciding game on Sunday, with a time still to be announced.
