Bruins Perform a Surgical Strike Over a Tough Blues Attack

The Bruins recent woes were seemingly forgotten last night when they laser targeted 4 into the net to the Blues 2.

Boston came onto the ice fighting at the Scottrade Centre forcing the Blues onto the back foot with two easy shots within seconds of the game starting by Kelly and Paille. The Bruins, having won the face off, rallied and fed back the puck to Brad Marchand who quickly slapped home his 20th of the season for the Bruins unassisted after 2:29.

Crombeen and McQuaid provided the first period fisticuffs with Crombeen struggling to remove his gloves, hold McQuaid’s shirt and rain down the punches. Glove removed Crombeen landed a tight right hander and McQuaid went to the ice.

Boston soon had the advantage with Lucic, assisted by Corvo and Kelly, slapping it past Elliot from just inside the Blue line for Boston’s second.

St Louis quickly fought back and defeated a confused Bruins defense to snatch back 2 easy goals by Stewart [7:17] and Reeves [12:15] both shots coming easily one on one with Bruins Goal Tender Thomas after the Bruins defence fell apart.

Kelly reaffirmed Boston’s accuracy 40 seconds before the period end by knocking home his first goal in 14 games and his 15th Goal of the season to bring the end of period one in Bruins favour 3 to 2.

In the second Boychuck [BOS] had an extremely close shot only to have his slap shot ricochet off the cross member and the left post and back out onto the ice with the referee deciding on a no goal after 2 extremely close shots had been saved by Elliott [STL]. St Louis continued to press home during this period with Russell making several serious shots on the Bruins goal only to be shut down by the Bruins re-organised defensive team late in the period.

St Louis were not going to be out done and continued to apply passionate and determined pressure on the Bruins throughout the third. Making 24 shots on goal during this period to the Bruins 10.

But accuracy ruled the day in this game which ensured that in the 9th minute Marchand Backhanded the puck into the net for Boston’s 4th of the night. The stats and the result do not tell the full truth of this game.

St Louis were the stronger team making tight and decisive passes and strong attacks on a sometimes confused Bruins defensive line. With the game ending 32 shots for St Louis with 19 shots for Boston and Bruins Goaltender Thomas proving that he has indeed earned his .917 save percentage.

 

BRUINS (36-20-2) BLUES (36-17-7)

 

Steven Trevellion is a contributor for Pucks Across the Pond.