Vigneault was a little salty in his postgame news conference, presumably because his team face-planted in a 5-2 loss in Boston, but he wasn't shy to point toward Wednesday's decisive game in Vancouver.
He was asked, very simply, what happened in Monday's first period.
"To tell you the truth, it didn't really matter," Vigneault replied. "At the end of the day, they won and we're going back home in front of our fans [for a] one-game showdown to win the Cup. That's it."
OK, the Bruins set a Stanley Cup record with four goals in 4:14, Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo was pulled for the second time in three games and the Canucks found themselves trailing by a 4-0 margin 10 minutes into a night when they could have hoisted their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. But none of that matters?
Vigneault also ignored questions about what the Canucks could take from Game 6, and what the difference has been between their starkly different performances in the two venues. Because, apparently, it doesn't matter.
To be fair, there's a level of truth to Vigneault's vagaries. The Canucks have been atrocious at the Garden, getting outscored 17-3 in three games, but they've been much better in Vancouver, outscoring the Bruins by a 5-2 margin.
That's where Luongo — and, much more specifically, his defensemen — has shined, too. He has stopped 95 of 97 shots (.979 save percentage) in three home games and has recorded a pair of shutouts. In Boston, Luongo has surrendered 15 goals on 66 shots (.773 save percentage), including three goals on eight shots Monday.
That has been the most obvious difference for the Canucks, but they have also played with much more composure and confidence with their physicality at home.
If that's the reason for Vigneault's curious level of confidence — or condescension — then all the power to him. But it just sends a weird message by acting like the first period of Game 6 never happened.
Vigneault isn't obligated to call out his team to the media, but his change of style in front of the cameras was a bit alarming and could portray a level of concern. If that's the case, it would mirror his team's play in Game 6.
Of course, that's if Game 6 ever happened.
"We've got this great opportunity in front of our fans behind us," Vigneault said, "and we're going to make the best of it."
