CHICAGO -- Henrik Sedin is still trying to keep the mood light around his club, so in response to a question that referenced the Penguins-Lightning series, Vancouver's captain had this to say to a group of reporters Sunday morning at the team hotel:
"I can't believe a team could lose 8-2 in the playoffs."
He was kidding, of course. After all, then Canucks lost to Chicago, 7-2, in Game 4.
But, Sedin's attitude in the morning spoke to how the Canucks are feeling. Despite getting blitzed by a combined 12-2 in Games 4 and 5, they are still in control of this series up 3-2. Only one team Sunday night can skate into the second round.
That being said, Vancouver is prepared to treat Game 6 like it's Game 7 just so it can feel the same pressure to win as the Blackhawks.
"We haven't done that in the last two games and tonight it's time," Henrik said. "We have to treat this as a Game 7 and play a lot better."
It's fair to say that even with one more mulligan still left in their bag, if the Canucks lose Game 6, then Game 7 Tuesday in Vancouver could be ugly, too.
"We know in this League if you're not on top of your game it's going to be like this," Sedin said. "We haven't had guys doing the things we're supposed to do and if you don't do that it's going to get out of hand. We've seen that in other series than ours, too."
Just as the Blackhawks are inspired by what the Flyers were able to do after falling into a 3-0 hole last year, the Canucks have to be aware of why the Bruins let them back in it.
"The last couple of games we've been out of the game halfway through the first period," Henrik said. "(A good start) is huge for us. Even if they score first we have to stick to our gameplan. We can't start looking for goals. We're going to have to keep this game tight and if you have to win it in the last minute, that's fine with us."
Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl