Bedard's Daily Briefing 05.30.19: We have a Cup series, Red Sox in a rut as they head to Bronx

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I wonder if St. Louis will trot out Dick Vermeil after the Bruins' power Belichick move last night...

• Well, color me surprised at the Bruins' overtime loss last night. After the Bruins ran their unanswered goal streak in the series to five, I had visions of Carolina dancing in my head (and after Game 1). Figured the Bruins were on their way to a sweep and finishing the postseason on an 11-game winning streak.


• But a funny thing happened on the way to that ... the Blues refused to back down coming from one goal down twice and finally won it in overtime.


• One of the questions going forward: Was that an aberration because the Bruins were down to five defensemen for most of the game?


• Another: How much of last night was about the Blues, and how much was about the Bruins? It very easily could have been a fluke due to circumstances.


• One thing I do know: the Blues were re-energized by that victory. You could feel the growing confidence in their locker room.


• Another thing I know: The Bruins split at home, then on the road in the first two series vs. Toronto and Columbus and still won each series. So, there should be no reason to panic.


• If I had to rate Belichick's flag-waving performance, I'd put it somewhere between a Friday press conference and a Super Bowl week presser. He was definitely happy, but I think we needed a little more snap.


• Pretty big series for the Red Sox down in the Bronx. Boston is already 7.5 games back of the injured Yankees. Double digits would be bad.

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