Vancouver understands the goal is still the same. With lots of work to do, they can note the accomplishment in getting past a great team in Calgary.
Winning a six-game series with a total goal differential of 3 goals speaks to the quality team that the Flames are.
The Canucks also controlled their top line, limiting Calgary to only three goals over six games. Luckily the scoring came from Nikita Gusev (8 pts), Phillip Danault (7 pts) and Emil Bemstrom (7 pts).
Due to the strength of their defense, Vancouver is able to move on to the next series against another great team in the Winnipeg Jets.
Ben Bishop continued his strong play this season stopping 219 shots and a save percentage of .939. An issue still remains and needs to be addressed before the Jets lay siege to the Canucks, though.
First, the power play has to start scoring. A 20% success rate just won’t get Vancouver very far against this Jets team. Also, and maybe more important, the first line has got to get on the scoresheet more often than what they did against the Flames.
The Canucks are glad to have defeated the Flames, but know that the job isn’t done and the Jets are going to be a tough challenge.