Final: Bruins 3, Blues 1 -- Tuukka Rask backstops Boston to victory

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.

It also helped that goalie Tuukka Rask stood on his head en route to a 3-1 victory. The Blues pulled goalie Jake Allen with two minutes left in regulation and scored with 1:32 remaining to cut their deficit to one goal, but that's as close as St. Louis would get in this one. David Backes added an empty-netter.

Here are the pregame notes. Here's a video of Charlie McAvoy discussing his possible return to the lineup on Saturday.



Observations from the third period.

• Boom. Patrice Bergeron lasers one past Jake Allen on the power play to give Boston a crucial 2-0 lead.


• Torey Krug joins the rush, crashes the net and draws a penalty. It's the first penalty of this game and the Bruins will go on the power play. An insurance goal here would be huge.


• Since Bruins forced to go with five defensemen, Adam McQuaid is also going with Matt Grzelcyk.


• Kevan Miller is not on the bench to start the period.


• Bruins are 22-0-2 this season when leading after two periods.

• So many chances for the Bruins in that period but come up short. Boston had 22 shots in that period.


• Turnovers could become a factor for the Bruins.


• Danton Heinen doesn't lose many puck battles along the wall.


• Allen with a tremendous glove save on David Krejci. Also, Krug has been so close on at least three chances to score this period.


• The Bruins are 13-1-2 this season when leading after one period.

• That's the first time in a nine-game span the Bruins have scored the first goal of the game.


• Now that's what you call a game of knock hockey. Bruins whacking away at a loose puck in front and David Krejci finally drives it home. However, Blues are looking for goaltender interference. Ryan Spooner appeared to have made contact with Allen. AFTER REVIEW: It's a goal. Bruins 1-0. It's Krejci's ninth of the season.


• Tuukka Rask normally controls his rebounds in the same direction from where the shot was taken. Numerous times already tonight, he's redirected shots to the opposite side.


• Heinen looking a lot more comfortable on the Bruins' top line tonight.


• The Bruins have allowed the first goal in the last eight games. The Blues are 17-0-1 when leading after the first period this season.