The Vancouver Canucks have yet to conquer the Chicago Blackhawks, but they can claim several breakthroughs heading into Game 3.
The Canucks opened a 2-0 series lead in their Western Conference quarter-final following a 4-3 victory at Rogers Arena Friday. It is the first time in three NHL playoff series that the Canucks have held a two-game lead against their arch enemy, and the first time they have won consecutive contests against the defending Stanley Cup champion.
"It was huge for us," captain Henrik Sedin said.
And the manner in which this victory came was just as huge.
On three occasions, the Blackhawks cut Vancouver's lead to one-goal, but they never got to even, and couldn't come all the way back, unlike previous Game 2s. Greeted with adversity for the first time in the 2011 playoffs, the Canucks passed the test.
"We're happy, obviously, that we won both home games," said goaltender Roberto Luongo, who made 23 saves but began showing some cracks in the third period. "That being said, all we did was hold court."
In each of the last two postseasons, Vancouver has defeated Chicago in the series opener, only to lose Game 2 in crushing fashion. The Blackhawks, who were 6-1 in Game 2 over the last two seasons, won each series in six games.
But to advance this year, they'll have to win four of the next five games as the series shifts to Chicago's United Center for Game 3 Sunday.
"We get to change the momentum on home ice...and get some enthusiasm that way," head coach Joel Quenneville said. "We need more from our top guys."
Chicago's top line -- Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa -- and top defence pairing -- Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook -- have been held scoreless through two games, and are not playing up to potential.
"We're not happy with how things our going," Hossa said.
Alexander Edler scored with 13.1 seconds remaining in the second period, after the visitors had seized momentum, to open a 3-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes. That bookended a power-play goal from Daniel Sedin just 30 seconds into the middle frame, and gave the home team some breathing room against here-we-go-again syndrome.
"The 3-1 goal from Eddie was huge," said Daniel Sedin, who had two goals "Going in 2-1 is not a great lead, but going in 3-1 felt good."
But the Hawks weren't done. Viktor Stalberg and Ben Smith scored third-period goals, and the visitors had a late flurry in an attempt to tie. More importantly, they looked more determined to get traffic in front of Luongo, who began surrendering dangerous rebounds as the game progressed.
Smith, playing just his eighth NHL game, was Chicago's best player. He cleaned up a rebound with seven minutes left in regulation, and had Chicago's first goal of the series in the second period on another rebound
His continued contributions will be necessary because Chicago's forward depth is being tested. Winger Bryan Bickell left the game in the third period with an apparent wrist injury, while Tomas Kopecky was already out with an upper-body ailment. Centre Jake Dowell was a healthy scratch in Game 2, replaced by Marcus Kruger.
Quenneville said his team needed a better start after being thoroughly outclassed in the first period of Game 1. But while Chicago outhit the Canucks 22-19, it again surrendered the first goal and went into the first intermission trailing 1-0.
Jannik Hansen notched his second goal of the playoffs, converting a one-timer after a marvelous shift in which he twice kept the puck in Chicago's zone. That, and a nice pass from Daniel Sedin, allowed the chance to develop. Henrik Sedin also assisted on the goal, getting both the twins on the score sheet for the first time in the series.
Canucks winger Mikael Samuelsson was a late scratch with an illness, meaning defenceman Aaron Rome was called on to play left wing on the fourth line. Tanner Glass bumped up to the third line, and Mason Raymond moved up to play right wing on the second unit.