Terrific 'Tuzzi

Bruising power forward answered Crawford's challenge well

Facing elimination, the Canucks responded the way every coach hopes his team will -- with an air of desperation and conviction. In other words, they came out flying, which had to please Marc Crawford.

But Crawford did his part, too, focusing his team's hopes of extending the series on the play of his top players. Specifically, he double-shifted power forward-extraordinaire Todd Bertuzzi throughout the first period.

The strategy worked perfectly. Bertuzzi scored a brilliant goal, restoring the Canucks' one-goal lead in the second period after the Blues had tied the game on a puck-handling gaffe by goaltender Dan Cloutier. So, it was a timely goal in its own right. But, the carryover effect is potentially tremendous, as both Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund followed Bertuzzi's exploits with goals of their own.

Crawford called out his most dominant player by putting the team's offensive fortunes on his very broad shoulders and Bertuzzi delivered. The bigger benefit -- other than the obvious averting of elimination -- is that all three top scorers got going and the Canucks finally solved Chris Osgood. The combination bodes well for the Canucks.

Yet it all goes back to Crawford's decision of where to put the emphasis. Instead of shying away from the fact that the Canucks are as obvious a one-line team as there is, he flaunted it. Stop Bertuzzi and we probably go home for the summer. As an athlete challenged, Bertuzzi responded beautifully. He embraced the responsibility and flourished.

Not that the Blues didn't have opportunities. Cloutier was very good and supremely fortunate in the first. After the Blues fell behind again, they struggled to stay focused, as is their history. Yes, they drew within a goal late in the third, but they could not entirely overcome Bertuzzi's effort. Not on this night. On any night, in fact, if the Canucks get production from their big three, success usually follows.

And this is a point which isn't lost on Crawford.

Three Stars

First Star: Bertuzzi. See above.

Second Star: Mattias Ohlund was a force at the offensive blueline and in front of his own net.

Third Star: Brent Sopel provided a spark from the backline on the attack, especially making good decisions on the power play.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for SI.com. Eliot will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason and is also broadcasting games for NHL Radio.

 

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