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Chicago dismantles Vancouver and Roberto Luongo again, bring series deficit down to 3-2

Roberto Luongo

Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo takes off his mask on the bench after being replaced by backup goalie Cory Schneider during the second period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs first-round series in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Thursday, April 21, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

AP

After dropping three tough games to go down 3-0, the Chicago Blackhawks have stormed back into their first round series with the Vancouver Canucks. After their profoundly one-sided 5-0 win in Game 5, the Canucks series lead is down to 3-2.

Chicago 5, Vancouver 0; Canucks lead series 3-2.

There are plenty of ways to frame the story of the last two games. Dramatic types might say that the Blackhawks are getting revenge for the Raffi Torres hit on Brent Seabrook. People who lean toward historical angles might wonder if Chicago remains in Roberto Luongo’s head. Others will just wonder if the Canucks lack “killer instinct.”

Either way, Duncan Keith (two goals and two assists) and Marian Hossa (two goals and one assist) came to play while Luongo and the Canucks did not. This marks the second consecutive game that Alain Vigneault benched Luongo, as the team’s franchise goalie allowed four goals on just 12 shots. The Blackhawks have outscored the Canucks by a stunning 12-2 margin in these two wins.

Even though there have been some great comebacks as of late, it seemed like the Canucks were done when they went into the first intermission down 3-0. Luongo only made it 1:26 into the second period before a Hossa breakaway goal chased him from the net. Cory Schneider allowed one more goal during the rest of the game while Corey Crawford earned a 36-save shutout.

It’s natural to wonder about Bobby Lou’s state of mind after he allowed 10 goals in two abbreviated appearances (he allowed that many on 40 shots in only about 66 minutes of game time). His body language looked downright awful at times before he was given the hook, so it’ll be interesting to see if Vigneault goes with Luongo or Schneider in Game 6.

Of course, the other big question is: can the Blackhawks actually make this comeback happen? Stay tuned for a look at that possibility in a post later tonight.