The St. Louis Blues entered the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the defending league champions. The unheralded Vancouver Canucks were all that stood in their way of advancing to the second round.
Then, something funny happened. The Canucks roared out to a 2–0 series lead before losing Games 3 and 4. Then, after taking Game 5 by a 4–3 score, the Canucks headed into Game 6 looking to send the 2019 Cup winners packing.
Exactly three years ago today, they did just that. Tyler Motte scored twice and Jacob Markstrom made 34 saves to propel the Canucks to a decisive 6–2 win, ending the Blues’ season and sending the Canucks to the Western Conference semifinals.
Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, Troy Stecher, and Brock Boeser scored to put the Canucks up 4–0 through two periods in Game 6, chasing Blues starter Jordan Binnington in the process. Jake Allen entered the game in relief of Binnington with 11:54 remaining in the second period.
Quinn Hughes picked up the primary assist on Boeser’s goal to become the fourth rookie defenceman in NHL history to record 10 playoff points in 10 or fewer games, joining Gary Suter, Al MacInnis, and Ray Bourque. Pretty good company for the 2018 No. 7 overall pick.
The Canucks and Blues traded goals in the third period, with Motte and Jaden Schwartz both scoring twice to cement the 6–2 final score. The Blues outshot the Canucks 36–25 in the game but Markstrom stood tall, carrying a shutout into the final frame before finally being bested by Schwartz.
Vancouver had previously defeated the Minnesota Wild in four games in the qualifying round to earn the right to face St. Louis in the quarterfinals. They advanced to take on the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round but ultimately fell in seven games, four of which ended with shutout scores. The Canucks have not returned to the playoffs in the years since.
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