ST. LOUIS, MOHere are 15 thoughts from the game with the Bruins taking down the St. Louis Blues by a 4-2 score after 60 minutes of action at the Scottrade Center.
FIRST PERIOD
1) Good first period for the Bruins against a team that came to play tonight in St. Louis. Have to like the way the KrejciLucicKelly combo is playing. They produced a pair of goals and have had five or six legitimate scoring chances in the first 20 minutes of play. It looks like Krejci might be playing on right wing for a time moving forward, and that would be perfectly okay as long as all three players produce.
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2) BJ Crombeen is a winning type of player. Goes toe-to-toe with Adam McQuaid during a first period fight and then scoops up a garbage man goal in front of the net on a loose puck minutes later. He doesnt score a lot of goals, but hes an undeniable presence for the Blues.
3) Wondering what the referees saw when David Backes stuck out his right leg and leg-checked Brad Marchand near center ice in a hit that was as dangerous as it was obvious. Its becoming more and more clear that the Bruins are viewed through a certain lens when it comes to the NHL officials, and theyre buying into Bostons perceived reputation. Its costs them calls on their call and adds penalties on the other side.
4) Three shots on net, a pair of points and a plus-2 for Chris Kelly in the first 20 minutes. He came to play tonight in a game the Bruins desperately need and thats an example of one player doing their job to help raise the collective result.
5) Tim Thomas appearing to have a difficult time tracking the puck in front of the net. He totally lost sight of the puck that ended up on BJ Crombeens stick for the Blues second goal. Give Ryan Reaves credit for the screen in front, but Thomas needs to find that puck.
SECOND PERIOD
1) Tim Thomas keeping the Bruins in the game right now with the Blues out-shooting the Bs by a 14-4 margin in the second period. His best stop was a flashy glove save on Kris Russell through traffic in the closing ends of the second period that could have been a killer. Thomas with 22 saves in all against St. Louis tonight.
2) Jordan Caron appears to have hit the pine for the Bruins as the CaronCarter CamperBenoit Pouliot line has been getting dominated throughout the game. They actually look like theyre penalty-killing each time theyre on the ice because theyre chasing so much.
3) Speaking of underachieving lines, the Bs fourth line has been on the ice for two goals allowed. Give Shawn Thornton credit, however, for going out there tonight because he looks less than 100 percent. But hes gutting it out.
4) The Bruins are 12-0-0 this season when Chris Kelly scores a goal this season and hes provided the difference-maker thus far. Underscores the importance of Kelly kicking in the incidental offense and that link to the teams success overall.
5) St. Louis crashing the net in a big way throughout the game. Its been so frequent that Tim Thomas actually decked Chris Porter with his blocker on one overly aggressive situation crashing the net. Amazing there are no goalie interference calls tonight when the refs whistled four goalie interference calls at the beginning of this road trip. Absolutely no consistency there whatsoever. Give referee Ian Walsh credit, however, for playing through a fat lip that left him bleeding on the ice earlier. He had to leave briefly to get stitched up, but he was back out there at the end of the second period.
THIRD PERIOD
1) Brad Marchand had gone six games without a goal and hadnt been much of a factor at all. Looks like he might have been woken up by a dirty David Backes leg check in the neutral zone in the first period that went uncalled. Marchand potted a pair of goalsincluding a great tone-setting pick-pocket of Kevin Shattenkirk before firing it past Brian Elliott. Then he potted another one on a breakaway in the third period as an insurance goal. His best goal in weeks.
2) Another rough day in the face-off circle (1-for-7) for David Krejci despite the solid game all-around.
3) Impressive work by the St. Louis Blues against the Bruins. Bs had to work hard for everything they got and got stormed by the Blues after getting an early 2-0 lead on them. This is a team that could surprise in the playoffs against some very good competition.
4) Bruins still not as physically dominant as they are when theyre really rolling, but the win over the Blues in their building is a good start. First third period win for the Bruins in their last four games after it was their calling card for the entire season.
5) Joe Corvo was actually pretty decent against the Blues tonight. He made good decisions in most instances with the puck and not too many soul-crushing mistakes with the puck, and it was his point shot that led to Lucic goal in first period. The Bruins need more of the good Corvo.