FINAL: Bruins 5, Blues 1 - Tuukka Rask, top six send Cup Final the distance

ST. LOUIS — For the first time in franchise history, the Boston Bruins will host a Stanley Cup Final Game 7 as their 5-1 road victory over the Blues forced the decisive game.

The story of this game was Tuukka Rask, who was superb in a hostile environment. He thwarted several great Blues chances and the only goal he allowed had to be reviewed because it barely crossed the line.

Meanwhile, the Bruins saw their top six forwards wake up as Brad Marchand scored 5 on 3, and David Pastrnak iced the game at 5-1.

Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, who was no match for Rask, allowed a very soft goal on a Brandon Carlo bouncer from the blue line to make it 2-0.

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• A few lineup changes for Boston, as Karson Kuhlman will slot in on David Krejci’s line, while David Backes will remain as a scratch. Matt Grzelcyk will not play in Game 6, but Boston will return to its 12F-6D lineup structure.


• Ivan Barbashev has been suspended for Game 6 for his hit on Marcus Johansson, forcing the Blues to add Sammy Blais on the fourth line. Robert Thomas will also play after missing the last four games due to injury.


• A victory by the Blues tonight would end the longest wait in NHL history - 51 seasons - for a team to win its first championship. The Kings currently hold that distinction after winning the Cup for the first time in their 44th season (2011-12).


• The Blues can become the second team in as many years to win the Stanley Cup for the first time, following the Capitals in 2017-18 - their 43rd season. The last time there were consecutive first-time Cup winners was a three-season stretch that saw the Lightning (2004), Hurricanes (2006) and Ducks (2007) claim their first titles. Overall, teams with a 3-2 advantage under the best-of-seven format own a 315-87 series record (.784) in NHL history, including a 32-8 clip in theStanley Cup Final and 5-4 mark in 2019.


• The Bruins will look to  force a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final for the 17th time in history - and first since their Cup-clinching victory in 2011 against Vancouver. Boston also aims to become the ninth team in NHL history to overcome a 3-2 series deficit in the Final - another feat last achieved by them in 2011.


• David Krejci leads current Bruins with 20 points in 20 career games when Boston has faced elimination (3-17—20 in 20 GP), the second-highest such total in franchise history behind Ray Bourque (6-30—36 in 34 GP).


• Tuukka Rask enters Game 6 looking to continue his stellar play on the road during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs as Boston looks to avoid losing three consecutive games for the first time since March 10-14 (0-3-0). Rask has yet to suffer three straight losses this season, last doing so in the 2018 Conference Finals against the Lightning. Rask is 22-18 in 40 career playoff road games (2.00 GAA, .936 SV%, 5 SO), including a 7-3 mark in 10 games as a visitor this postseason (1.81 GAA, .947 SV%, 2 SO).