Preview: It’s do or die as the Bruins head to St. Louis for Game 6

Just the facts

When: Tonight, 8 PM

Where: Enterprise Center - St. Louis, Missouri

How to follow: NBC, CBC, TVA, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SBN site: St. Louis Game Time

Game notes

• Here we go, folks! It’s do or die time. Either we’ll watch St. Louis hoist the Cup on home ice tonight, or we’ll be looking forward a Game 7 at the Garden. BUCKLE UP!
• If you’re looking for some positive signs, the last time the Bruins faced a do or die Game 6 on the road, they managed to extend the series vs. Toronto and win it on home ice. POSITIVE VIBES.
• In the “surprising news” file, Chris Wagner skated at practice today, wearing a regular jersey. No idea if that means he’s close to being ready to play, but I guess we’ll see. Matt Grzelcyk skated as well, but wearing a non-contact jersey, so that’s not a great sign.
• The Blues will have to sub someone in for the suspended Ivan Barbashev. I haven’t read yet who it’s going to be, but Robby Fabbri is probably an option.
• The Bruins are out of time for excuses at this point. The first line has been bad, the power play has been bad, 5v5 play has been bad...and yet, they’re still here. The Bruins put on a clinic in St. Louis in Game 3, largely aided by a lights-out power play. If they get a chance with the man advantage early tonight, they need to cash in.
• It remains to be seen what Bruce Cassidy does with the lineup tonight: does he think Zdeno Chara is ready enough to not require 7 defensemen? Will David Backes draw back in? Or are we looking at 7 defensemen again? The possibilities are endless, folks.
• I remember back in the first round having this take, so I’ll repeat it: there’s a chance that, facing elimination, the Bruins will get back to basics and stop trying to be so fine with the puck. This would especially help on the power play, where the Bruins have been passing up looks in hopes for the perfect shot (just like the first round). Hey, it could happen.
• This is a bit dramatic, but this game could change the way Bruins fans look at the vaunted first line. A loss today won’t mean that Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, or David Pastrnak will be run out of town, but some of the sheen will come off. That trio was the league’s best for most of the season, and they’ve gone cold at the worst possible time. People still talk about every save Tuukka Rask failed to make prior to this postseason; a Stanley Cup final without a 5v5 point would put a bit of a ding in their reputation.
• There’s understandably a lot of negativity in Bruins circles about this game, but hey, they’re here. The Bruins can play with this team. They proved that more than once. If they can get a lead, the Blues will be faced with the prospect of blowing this shot at home and having to go back to Boston. You never know.
• The Bruins have already won two road Game 6’s this postseason. Let’s make it three.

See ya tonight!