Boston Bruins vs St. Louis Blues. Post season preview?

Apr 21, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center

(34) looks to pass around Florida Panthers defenseman

(43) during the second period of a NHL game. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues came into Thursday’s tilt with an identical 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games. After the puck was dropped both teams came out flying. Up and down the ice they went, exchanging shots along the way. Bruins Milan Lucic delivered the hardest shot, not on goal but on Blues Forward Magnus Paajarvi, who only four days earlier returned from an upper body injury. The shots on goal in the first period were close (10-8 Bruins) and so was the play on the ice. Both teams exchanged fluky goals, one by B’s Gregory Campbell, one by Blues Derek Roy.

In the second period the play slowed down a bit, with the Bruins struggling to connect passes. Like the first period where both teams exchanged goals, they did so again with Carl Soderberg’s goal being the prettiest. Carl’s hard work and determination are starting to pay dividends. He’s finally acclimated to NHL style hockey.

In the third period the Bruins came out with a sense of urgency, the Blues looked a bit flat. Boston ended the period with 11 shots on goal to just 6 for St. Louis.

The two teams didn’t get enough of one another so we were treated to bonus hockey. As if that weren’t enough, the teams decided to let the shoot-out decide their fate. Unfortunately for the Bruins the Blues had better moves and skated out of Boston with the extra point. Derek Roy had the game winner for the Blues.

For me, this was the best Bruins game of the season. It definitely had a playoff feel to it, with both teams working and hitting hard. This was one game where the Bruins should be proud to get a point.

The irony of the evening was the Blues came into town on Bobby Orr night. For those that don’t remember, it was the Blues that Bobby scored the game and series winning goal against to win the 1970 Stanley Cup. The only way to make this night better would’ve been with a Bruins win.

Good job boys, now work on stopping those late period goals and you’ll win your share in regulation.

Next up for the Bruins is a Saturday Matinee against the Carolina Hurricanes whom they beat on Monday 4-1. Hopefully the Bruins don’t overlook this team and think ahead to the Monday nights matchup with the Penguins.

Go B’s!