Vancouver, BC (My Sportsbook) - Sami Salo scored with 73 seconds to play as the Vancouver Canucks coughed up a three-goal lead in the third period, but were able to take a 5-3 decision over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals at General Motors Place.

Chicago had trailed by three goals to start the third period, but tied the game with 5:29 left in the third on Dave Bolland's goal.

However, the Canucks were able to grab the lead with a late tally. A turnover in the Chicago end resulted in Vancouver skating the other way. From the left side, Mason Raymond faked a shot and slid it over to Steve Bernier, who let fly with a one-timer. Nikolai Khabibulin was able to make the save, but the rebound went right back to the slot and Salo was able to bury it.

The Blackhawks were able to pull Khabibulin for the extra attacker, but Ryan Johnson's empty-net goal sealed the win.

Ryan Kesler, Henrik Sedin and Pavol Demitra each had a goal for the third- seeded Canucks, who swept St. Louis in the opening round. Roberto Luongo made 28 saves in the win.

"We're thinking we didn't have our A-game tonight and we still won," said Kesler. "So we have a lot to improve. We got this one under our belt and now its time to focus on game two."

Patrick Kane scored twice while Bolland also lit the lamp for the fourth- seeded Blackhawks, who beat Calgary in six games in the first round. Khabibulin allowed four goals on 26 shots in the loss.

"We had a great third period to start off," said Kane. "One mistake and it ends up in the back of your net. It's not going to be as easy as Calgary. They're a faster-paced team and we've got to keep up with them."

Vancouver will host Game 2 of the best-of-seven series on Saturday.

Trailing by three goals to start the third period, Chicago got on the board just 61 seconds into the final frame as Kane grabbed a broken pass in the slot and slid it past Luongo.

The Blackhawks continued to apply pressure and were rewarded for their efforts with a power-play goal. With Darcy Hordichuk in the box for roughing, Brent Seabrook blasted a shot from the right circle that Luongo got a pad on, but the rebound kicked out to the right side and Kane slammed it home with 9:49 to play.

Chicago then tied the game with 5:29 to play in the third. A clearing attempt at the left point was kept in by Duncan Keith, who threw the puck on net. Luongo made the save, but Bolland picked up the disc at the left side and was able to tuck it home.

Vancouver grabbed the lead with 4:38 left in the first period on a power-play goal. With Keith in the box for tripping, Mats Sundin slid a pass across the goalmouth from the left side to the right where Demitra slammed it home from a sharp angle for his first goal of the playoffs.

Luongo stopped all 10 shots he saw in the first period.

The Canucks made it a 2-0 game at the 5:13 mark of the second when the Sedin brothers hooked up for a goal. As he was about to skate behind the net from the left side, Daniel slid a pass out front for Henrik, who one-timed it past Khabibulin.

Vancouver made it a 3-0 game with 4:37 left in the middle stanza on a 4-on-2 break. Alexander Edler threw a shot on net that went wide, but Kyle Wellwood grabbed it behind the net. From there, he threw a quick pass to the low slot where Kesler tapped it home.

Luongo continued to post a shutout in the second period as he stopped eight shots in the frame.

Game Notes

These teams split four games this season... The Blackhawks and Canucks have met just twice in the postseason and each club has won a round. They last met in 1995, when Chicago swept Vancouver in four games during the conference semifinals...Chicago went 1-for-3 on the power play, while Vancouver went 1- for-7...Bernier and Wellwood each had two assists.