[Enoch Root]

IMO, confidence is everything. When individuals are feeling it, they look like different players. When teams are feeling it, they can beat anyone.

There have been 3 major factors dictating this series IMO...

1) the Blues, along with the other bye teams, weren't yet up to speed, and the play-in teams had an initial advantage (which is now gone)

2) the Canucks have never trailed in the series (38 seconds not withstanding)

3) the Nucks are a young team with no expectations, and are playing with house money (especially when they're playing the champs)

Those 3 factors have allowed the Canucks to play their game with confidence and without fear. And have given them the feeling that they can actually win this. And that confidence has them playing their best.

But now the Blues have their first win under their belts. They are going to be a much better team next game. If they get the early lead, I wouldn't be surprised to see them roll over the Nucks in game 4.

And if they tie the series up, those advantages that the Nucks have had will be gone.

Nonetheless, kudos to the Nucks for playing as well as they have so far. The similarities to the 2015 Flames are pretty substantial, IMO.