Welcome back to Instant Reaction, the series here at <a class="text-accent" href="https://canucksarmy.com/schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CanucksArmy</a> where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s <a class="text-accent" href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vancouver Canucks</a> game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below!
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This one was back and forth to start, but the Blues had a noticeable edge in the first 10 minutes of the game. Kevin Lankinen was busy early, making two big saves to keep the Canucks in this one.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Kevin Lankinen makes a great pad save early in the 1st period!
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/U9jCxcMQNo">pic.twitter.com/U9jCxcMQNo</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902869742291128377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Kevin Lankinen makes another big save off Robert Thomas. 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/F8NFwwmxPv">pic.twitter.com/F8NFwwmxPv</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902871822946931096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The Canucks got the game&#8217;s first power play after Drew O&#8217;Connor drew a tripping call. Unfortunately, the Canucks&#8217; power play struggled to even get set up. Not the best start, but not the worst start, either.
One thing that was evident in this game was that the Canucks were struggling to create off the rush. Now, that&#8217;s obvioulsy nothing new for this team, but <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/stanchies-vancouver-canucks-play-their-most-complete-game-season-6-2-win-winnipeg-jets">against Winnipeg, they were so good at creating off the rush</a> that it was at least something to watch for in this game.
And when you can&#8217;t create off the rush, you need to rely on your ability to create sustained pressure once you gain possession in the offensive zone, and the Canucks did more of that in the second period.
Nils Aman nearly opened the scoring halfway through the second when he found himself in with a clear look at Jordan Binnington in the slot. Aman ripped a wrist shot that beat Binnington, but the puck went bar and out as this one remained scoreless.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Nils Åman rips a shot off the cross bar. That was the Canuck best chance of the game so far. 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/qmkU6lyNyh">pic.twitter.com/qmkU6lyNyh</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902884016065540484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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With the two sides gridlocked as the second period came to an end, the Blues got a bounce. Quinn Hughes inadvertently tipped a Blues point shot past Kevin Lankinen.
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Quinn Hughes deflects the puck and it finds it&#39;s way past Kevin Lankinen. 
1-0 Blues. 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/COoXU7K6f2">pic.twitter.com/COoXU7K6f2</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902887639424045126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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1-0 Blues. 
The Canucks entered the third down by a goal, and were in need of a hero to tie things up. And that hero was Kiefer Sherwood, who scored moments into the third.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🚨CANUCKS GOAL🚨
Kiefer Sherwood ties the game for Vancouver! What a wrist shot! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/oUkL1UIESA">pic.twitter.com/oUkL1UIESA</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902894799050641808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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What a shot.
Speaking of which&#8230;
After a great night against Winnipeg, the Canucks&#8217; top line had less juice tonight. They were trying to make things happen, but the Blues were doing such a good job at limiting their space in the neutral zone. Eventually though, they broke through, as Brock Boeser took a pass from Nils Höglander and rifled a shot through traffic to beat Jordan Binnington far side and give the Canucks the lead for the first time on the night.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🚨CANUCKS GOAL🚨
A Brock Boeser snipe puts the Canucks up by one in the 3rd period! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/6hn5uuRRpl">pic.twitter.com/6hn5uuRRpl</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902897536282874289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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2-1 Canucks. 
That didn&#8217;t last long though.
Off an O-Zone draw, Tyler Tucker let go of a shot from the blue line that deflected off Jake DeBrusk and beat Kevin Lankinen far side.
2-2. 
On the next shift, the Canucks had a defensive break down that cost them in a hurry. I&#8217;m not sure what Tyler Myers thought he was doing on this play.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
St. Louis scores two quick goals. It&#39;s 3-2 Blues. 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/oWTsHKfWxJ">pic.twitter.com/oWTsHKfWxJ</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902898911548936691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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3-2 Blues. 
That&#8217;s two goals in 24 seconds in a game that goals felt so hard to come by in.
The Canucks pushed, with Quinn Hughes seemingly playing all of the final five minutes, and waited right until the end to tie this one up. Brock. Boeser.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
🚨CANUCKS GOAL🚨
BROCK BOESER TIES THE GAME WITH 4 SECONDS REMAINING IN THE 3RD PERIOD!!
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/qd08Ioekh2">pic.twitter.com/qd08Ioekh2</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902903337126859107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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3-3, as this one needed overtime. 
Quinn Hughes ripped a puck wide, Justin Faulk hit a post, Nils Höglander got a shift, and all the normal chaos of 3-0n-3 overtime ensued. A Blues wraparound attempt required review, but it was determined that Kevin Lankinen held the puck out.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Kevin Lankinen makes a game saving stop in overtime! 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dr48zq7GYt">pic.twitter.com/Dr48zq7GYt</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902905216221188448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Philip Broberg put the finishing touches on a 2-on-1 opportunity after a bad Canucks line change.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Canucks lose 4-3 in overtime. 
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/hRWU00N6N6">pic.twitter.com/hRWU00N6N6</a>
&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902905823283777907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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4-3 final.
Some more takeaways from tonight:
-My appreciation for <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/how-derek-forbort-proven-one-vancouver-canucks-most-elite-penalty-killers">Derek Forbort and his penalty killing ability</a> grows every day. 
-Linus Karlsson was so good against Winnipeg, and with Conor Garland returning tonight, that made Jonathan Lekkerimäki the odd man out. I think I&#8217;d like to see Lekkerimäki get back in next game. His value on the power play is big and I&#8217;d like to see him get back in. 
-This team is going to need their best players to continue to be their best players if they&#8217;re going to get into the playoffs. 
-Every game is very important for this team, but this one against the red-hot Blues felt even more important. Getting at least a point in this game was absolutely crucial. 
-Brock Boeser has scored some big goals for this team in the last year. 
-Blues surpass Canucks for the final West playoff spot.
What’s your instant reaction to tonight’s game? Let us know in the comments section below! And be sure to tune into Rink Wide Vancouver moments after the final horn!
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Welcome back to Instant Reaction, the series here at <a class="text-accent" href="https://canucksarmy.com/schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CanucksArmy</a> where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s <a class="text-accent" href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vancouver Canucks</a> game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below!
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&nbsp;

This one was back and forth to start, but the Blues had a noticeable edge in the first 10 minutes of the game. Kevin Lankinen was busy early, making two big saves to keep the Canucks in this one.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902869742291128377

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902871822946931096

The Canucks got the game's first power play after Drew O'Connor drew a tripping call. Unfortunately, the Canucks' power play struggled to even get set up. Not the best start, but not the worst start, either.

One thing that was evident in this game was that the Canucks were struggling to create off the rush. Now, that's obvioulsy nothing new for this team, but <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/stanchies-vancouver-canucks-play-their-most-complete-game-season-6-2-win-winnipeg-jets">against Winnipeg, they were so good at creating off the rush</a> that it was at least something to watch for in this game.

And when you can't create off the rush, you need to rely on your ability to create sustained pressure once you gain possession in the offensive zone, and the Canucks did more of that in the second period.

Nils Aman nearly opened the scoring halfway through the second when he found himself in with a clear look at Jordan Binnington in the slot. Aman ripped a wrist shot that beat Binnington, but the puck went bar and out as this one remained scoreless.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902884016065540484

With the two sides gridlocked as the second period came to an end, the Blues got a bounce. Quinn Hughes inadvertently tipped a Blues point shot past Kevin Lankinen.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902887639424045126

1-0 Blues. 

The Canucks entered the third down by a goal, and were in need of a hero to tie things up. And that hero was Kiefer Sherwood, who scored moments into the third.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902894799050641808

What a shot.

Speaking of which...

After a great night against Winnipeg, the Canucks' top line had less juice tonight. They were trying to make things happen, but the Blues were doing such a good job at limiting their space in the neutral zone. Eventually though, they broke through, as Brock Boeser took a pass from Nils Höglander and rifled a shot through traffic to beat Jordan Binnington far side and give the Canucks the lead for the first time on the night.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902897536282874289

2-1 Canucks. 

That didn't last long though.

Off an O-Zone draw, Tyler Tucker let go of a shot from the blue line that deflected off Jake DeBrusk and beat Kevin Lankinen far side.

2-2. 

On the next shift, the Canucks had a defensive break down that cost them in a hurry. I'm not sure what Tyler Myers thought he was doing on this play.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902898911548936691

3-2 Blues. 

That's two goals in 24 seconds in a game that goals felt so hard to come by in.

The Canucks pushed, with Quinn Hughes seemingly playing all of the final five minutes, and waited right until the end to tie this one up. Brock. Boeser.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902903337126859107

3-3, as this one needed overtime. 

Quinn Hughes ripped a puck wide, Justin Faulk hit a post, Nils Höglander got a shift, and all the normal chaos of 3-0n-3 overtime ensued. A Blues wraparound attempt required review, but it was determined that Kevin Lankinen held the puck out.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902905216221188448

Philip Broberg put the finishing touches on a 2-on-1 opportunity after a bad Canucks line change.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1902905823283777907

4-3 final.

Some more takeaways from tonight:

-My appreciation for <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/how-derek-forbort-proven-one-vancouver-canucks-most-elite-penalty-killers">Derek Forbort and his penalty killing ability</a> grows every day.
-Linus Karlsson was so good against Winnipeg, and with Conor Garland returning tonight, that made Jonathan Lekkerimäki the odd man out. I think I'd like to see Lekkerimäki get back in next game. His value on the power play is big and I'd like to see him get back in.
-This team is going to need their best players to continue to be their best players if they're going to get into the playoffs.
-Every game is very important for this team, but this one against the red-hot Blues felt even more important. Getting at least a point in this game was absolutely crucial.
-Brock Boeser has scored some big goals for this team in the last year.
-Blues surpass Canucks for the final West playoff spot.

What’s your instant reaction to tonight’s game? Let us know in the comments section below! And be sure to tune into Rink Wide Vancouver moments after the final horn!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wlrXPPbMJw

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