Vancouver had lost Games 3 and 4 by a combined 12-1 scoreline, but in Game 5 they showed their resolve and pulled out an impressive 1-0 shutout victory against Boston.

Games 1 and 2 had been tight in Vancouver too, but the home side had controlled the flow of play for the most part. Game 5 would prove a trickier prospect as the Bruins dominated much of the play throughout the game. They enjoyed several shifts exclusively in the Canucks zone, but Vancouver’s defense was generally better at limiting the high quality scoring chances. Roberto Luongo also bounced back in style with his fourth shutout of the playoffs, he made 31 saves and showed no signs of the nerves that must have plagued him after getting pulled in Game 4. The power-play has been a big story throughout the series, and while the Canucks went 0-3 in another disappointing effort. It was Boston who had more to think about after Game 5. They missed a huge opportunity to build on the momentum earned in Games 3 and 4 when they failed to score on the game’s first four power-plays. The man advantage didn’t really gain the team much momentum and it has to be said that Claude Julien looked like he was clutching at straws when he sent fourth liner Gregory Campbell out to center the second units first couple of shifts. It would eventually be the Canucks third line that would get the game’s only goal as Kevin Bieksa’s slap shot bounced off the boards and out to Maxim Lapierre, who took advantage of an open net offered by an aggressive Tim Thomas. Generally, the Coach Alain Vigenault and the Canucks got this one right. They were a little less aggressive and didn’t get caught out defensively, the top pairing of Bieksa and Alexander Edler played exceptionally well for the most part. Christopher Tanev had a pretty solid game while playing in place of Keith Ballard. Vigneault made a point of getting his top three lines a lot of ice early, though it will still be a concern for this team that neither of the Sedin or Kesler line got on the scoresheet.

Game 6 is in Boston on Monday night.