BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Blues 1 -- Another character win for Boston

That’s what you call a response game.

After the Boston Bruins had their 18-game point streak snapped on Tuesday, it was critical for Boston to bounce back with a strong effort against the St. Louis Blues Thursday night at TD Garden.

The Bruins did exactly that in a 3-1 win.

"We just got sick of losing," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said with a smile.

It also helped that goalie Tuukka Rask stood on his head and finished with 32 saves en route to a 3-1 victory. He also improve his personal point streak to 19 games (17-0-2). It's the fourth-longest streak by a Boston goaltender in team history behind Gerry Cheevers (32 games in 1971-72), Pete Peters (31 games in 1982-83) and Frank Brimsek (23 games in 1940-41).

Everything else you need to know from the Bruins' win in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis. 

HEADLINES



About time: It was the first time in a span of nine games in which the Bruins scored first. After the previous eight games of allowing the first goal, Cassidy was troubled by that recent trend and addressed it with the team before the morning skate on Thursday. It was a point of emphasis to get the first one and Boston accomplished that at the most opportune time.

"It was good," Cassidy said. "Not sure the shot clock (nine for Boston in the first period) accurately portrayed the pace of the game and how it was playing out. We were pretty good. A couple of turnovers that came back at us, but other than that I thought we managed the puck well, we were on our toes, we were trying to close out space and forecheck hard and get pucks to the net."

A welcomed verdict: On Boston's first goal, St. Louis coach Mike Yeo challenged that Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk interfered with Blues goaltender Jake Allen prior to David Krejci driving the puck home during a scramble in front. After review, it was determined there was no interference and the call on the ice stood as a good goal.

When asked about losing the challenge, Yeo said: "Next question."

Cassidy was more than happy to discuss the end result.

"You never know on those," he said. "The directive came out on those that (the league) wanted to speed them up. Unless there's something obvious, don't go looking for things. So, that's the way it looked. They took less time than they have in the past and glad it went our way."

It only took one: There were no penalties called in the game until the Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko was whistled for hooking at 8:35 of the third period. Boston's power play, which went 0-for-4 against the Ducks on Tuesday, quickly responded against the Blues when Patrice Bergeron scored at 9:05 for a 2-0 lead. He's been automatic from that bumper position in the slot. Overall, he has five goals and five assists for 10 points in the last seven games.

"He's got a hot stick," Cassidy said. "He had a few looks five-on-five earlier, so that was good that (David Pastrnak) found him and (Bergeron) was able to bury it. He's been dynamic from the area all year and it's our first option. We were fortunate enough to find it."

TURNING POINT

Stop, thief: Rask made two game-saving stops that proved crucial. The first game in the closing minute of the first period during a scramble in front. He made a reactionary save on the Blues' Ivan Barbashev to secure Boston's one-goal lead. The second timely save came only 1:45 into the third period when he snared a backdoor attempt with his glove, stifling a golden opportunity by St. Louis' Jaden Schwartz.

"This team has always been confident in Tuukka, especially lately," Cassidy said. "Any team will play better when they know their goaltender has their back and Tuukka certainly had that."

TWO UP 

David Backes: The former captain of the Blues was a man possessed against St. Louis. He finished with eight shots and was rewarded with an empty-net goal at 19:59. He has five goals and eight assists for 13 points in his last 16 games. It was an all-out effort on his goal after he leveled Brayden Schenn at Boston's blue line. Backes never stopped and finished with a goal at the other end.

"He wanted to make a statement with his old crew, and good for him," Cassidy said. "He was a good leader tonight in every aspect. He was around the puck a lot."

Ryan Spooner: Had two assists tonight and now has seven goals and five assists for 12 points in his last 13 games. Against heavier teams, he's shying away from the physical aspect of the game, but he's been solid on David Krejci's wing. Spooner even won a key faceoff during a 4-on-4 midway through the third period.

TWO DOWN

Kevan Miller: He's only in this category because he suffered an upper-body injury late in the second period and did not return. Cassidy said the defenseman will be re-evaluated on Friday.

Peter Cehlarik: He's only played 17 career games in the NHL. Previously, he's showcased his ability to play in this league, but he struggled against the Blues. The winger had issues along the wall in the defensive zone and couldn't get the puck out clean on his side.

NOT ON THE SCORE SHEET

Slight of hand: Rask is a master at controlling rebounds. He normally likes to control his rebounds in the same direction from where the shot was taken. Numerous times tonight, he's redirected shots to the opposite side and into open space. That proved crucial because it didn't allow a sustained net-front attack by a heavy St. Louis team.

UP NEXT

The Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. on Saturday at TD Garden. It's possible rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy could return to the lineup. He was cleared to play on Wednesday. He had a procedure to treat an abnormal heart rhythm on Jan. 22.