The Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues have kicked off the 2019 Stanley Cup final series on Monday night. Game 1 of the series was played at TD Arena in Boston, with the home team emerging victorious in front of their own crowd.
Boston had an excellent night, coming back from two goals down to beat the Blues 4-2 to take the lead in the finals.
And although at one point it looked like the night won’t end well for the Bruin, the home team gave their fans a thriller they won’t forget. Sean Kuraly led his team with one goal and one assist, while Tuukka Rask ended the game with 18 saves.
Game 2 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday night.
Nearly half a century after the famous 1970 finals against the Blues, the Bruins will try to repeat the success. In addition to Kuraly, Connor Clifton and Charlie McAvoy also scored, while Brad Marchand clinched it for the home team, sending the puck into an empty net with around three minutes left on the clock.
Goalie Tuukka Rask, of the Boston Bruins, during warm-ups. Bruins vs. New York Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. – Jai Agnish / Shutterstock.com
A Fantastic Comeback
But the detail most of the spectators will remember was when Torey Krug flew down the ice with his helmet off, after a tussle with David Perron.
Jordan Binnington had 34 saves for St.Loius in the team’s first final since their defeat against the Bruins 49 years ago.
The visitors took the lead 7:23 into the first period when Brayden Schenn scored his third goal of the post-season. Only a minute after the second period started, Schenn passed the puck to Vladimir Tarasenko who doubled the Blues’ lead.
The Bruins played much better in the second, with 18 attempts on goal, while their opponents managed only 3. In the end, the Bruins outshot the Blues 38-20.
Boston replied just 76 seconds after Tarasenko’s goal when Clifton made the most out of Kuraly’s pass to cut the Blues’ lead. The result was tied 7:19 before the end of the second, on the Bruins’ power play when McAvoy’s shot ended up behind Binnington.
Boston completed the comeback 5:21 into third. Noel Acciari made a spin move and passed the puck to Kuraly, who scored his first goal of the game and gave the Bruins their first lead of the night.
It was all over with 1:49 left on the clock after Marchand scored into an empty net.
If the Bruins win the game on Wednesday night, they’ll be well on the way to their seventh Stanley Cup. It would be their first title since 2011. Back in 2013, they made it all the way to the finals, but Chicago lifted the trophy.
If you like betting on hockey, be sure to visit Spin Sports.