Last season, the Blackhawks were successfully able to get in the heads of several Vancouver players and make them commit retaliatory actions that wound up being penalties that led to Chicago power-play goals.
This time around, the Canucks are trying to flip the scenario around – and appear to be doing it well, having committed just five penalties combined in the first two games.
"Our whole game plan is to initiate not retaliate," Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa said on Sunday. "We've done a good job of it so far. I don't see anything changing tonight."
If it doesn't, then the pressure will really increase for Chicago to improve its power play production (0-for-5 ) in the limited chances that happen.
"They've got a lot of skilled guys over there and can put out a good power-play unit," Vancouver center Ryan Kesler said. "You don't want to let those guys get going over there. You don't want to let their power play get out on the ice too much and get in a rhythm, where they might not be scoring – but they're generating momentum for their team. We just want to play good, hard hockey and stay out of the box."