The Blues hadn't lost a game in regulation on home ice since Dec. 3, posting an impressive 18-0-3 mark at Scottrade Center in that span.
The Bruins, meanwhile, entered the night with just three regulation wins in their last 17 games, and had managed only 15 goals in their last 11 games. Facing the league's stingiest defense and a goalie in Brian Elliott who was leading the NHL in goals-against average and save percentage, it didn't sound like a recipe for success.
Naturally, the Bruins proceeded to put three of their six first-period shots past Elliott, and held on for a 4-2 victory Wednesday night in St. Louis in what they hope will be the kind of victory they can build upon to snap out of their recent malaise.
"We had a couple tough games in the last few days and we really wanted to get back to playing our games," said Bruins forward Brad Marchand, who scored two of Boston's goals. "The guys really stepped up. [We have] a couple injuries and [the Blues] play really well at home. The fact that we could come in here and win, it speaks volumes for our team."
It was just the fourth regulation loss in 34 home games for the Blues, and it helped the Bruins avoid losing three straight for the first time since their sluggish Cup hangover days in October.
The early goals were key, as the Bruins have rarely played with a lead in recent weeks. After being blanked by Minnesota netminder Niklas Backstrom in a 48-save shutout on Sunday, the Bruins' frustration could have snowballed early when Chris Kelly was stoned on a golden chance in front in the opening minute.
But the Bruins kept attacking, and Marchand scored off a steal 2:29 in, followed by a goal from Milan Lucic at 6:19 of the first. St. Louis rallied back to tie it, but Kelly got his revenge on Elliott with the eventual game-winner in the final minute of the first period.
"I think a big thing was getting that first goal," Lucic said. "It really kind of almost felt like it lightened the mood and gave up a little confidence. Even though we got up 2-0 and they came back, it still gave us that weight off our shoulders so that we were able to go out and get that next one."
The last goal was equally important. After a scoreless second period, the Bruins entered the third clinging to a one-goal lead. But rather than sitting on that lead and trying to escape with the road win, they pressed the attack. Marchand took advantage with a breakaway goal to extend the lead and the Bruins cruised from there.
"I really like the way we came out in the third," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "With a one-goal lead, we didn't sit back. We seemed to be able to play with a lot of confidence and that's what we needed."
Now what the Bruins need is to maintain that confidence and produce this kind of effort on a more consistent basis heading down the stretch.
"We've just got to continue with what we did tonight," Julien said. "There was a lot of excitement, a lot of confidence. There was a lot of commitment to doing the things we had to do to win. You saw guys taking hits. You saw guys willing to block shots, second efforts. There was a lot of good things out there. It felt pretty good after the game, so you hope you can carry that feeling into the next game and know that if you can do that on a consistent basis you're going to earn your wins."
The next game comes Friday in Buffalo, where the Bruins lost 6-0 in their last visit earlier this month. They then close out their six-game trip in Ottawa on Saturday, before returning home to face the Senators again on Tuesday. That will be a huge home-and-home set for the Bruins. Ottawa has pulled within two points of Boston for the Northeast Division lead, though the Bruins do have four games in hand.
Still, those games in hand won't mean much if the Bruins don't take advantage of them. And to do that means maintaining this level of effort and commitment.
"We can build a lot of confidence off this game," Marchand said. "Some young guys came in and stepped up. We just have to try to keep it rolling and build some momentum."
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