GDT SCF Gm 1: 5/27/19 | 7 PM CT | @ Bruins | NBC

[theohall]

The Boston Bruins are riding a seven-game winning streak. The St. Louis Blues have won three straight to overcome a controversial overtime loss.

And yet, both teams will be looking to regain momentum after a lengthy layoff ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday in Boston.

The Bruins will have gone 11 days between games after finishing off a sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals, while the Blues will be six days removed from surging past the San Jose Sharks with a Game 6 win in the West. For its part, Boston held an intrasquad scrimmage in front of a near-sellout crowd Thursday as a way to try to stay fresh.

"Once you go 10 days with no playing, I think it's good to get a little action in and get used to that pace," said Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask. "I think that's what we wanted to accomplish, and it looked good."

Making sure Rask continues to play the way he has is perhaps the biggest key for the Bruins against the Blues. The former Vezina Trophy winner has a 1.84 goals-against average and .942 save percentage in the playoffs and has posted shutouts in two of his past five games.

"Yeah, it's been a long layover I guess, kind of like a training camp situation in that sense," Rask said. "But I think it's always in the back of your head that we're going to start the finals soon, so you're focused but you're just waiting."

The Blues expect to have little problem maintaining focus heading into their first Stanley Cup Final since 1970. They were swept by the Bruins that year and are still seeking their first finals win (0-12) despite three trips.

"It's one of those things," Blues forward Brayden Schenn said. "You're going to bed or you're around the house and you're thinking about it. It comes to the point you just want to get the games going already. Get in the heat of the series."

St. Louis is perceived as the underdog in the series despite an impressive turnaround. The Blues came back from the worst record in the NHL in early January to make it this far and have no intentions of another early exit.

"We're going to have a chance at this," St. Louis center Ryan O'Reilly said. "It's amazing how a season, the ups and downs of it, there are so many highs and lows, and to be able to stay even-keeled and keep working at it. It's crazy to see how it pays off."

As a benefit of the layoff, both teams could see key players return for Game 1. Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara played in the scrimmage and should be a go after missing the series finale against the Hurricanes with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, forward David Krejci returned to practice Sunday after missing time with an illness.

For the Blues, defenseman Vince Dunn (upper body) skated Saturday and will make the trip to Boston. Dunn has been sidelined since he took a puck to the face in Game 3 against the Sharks.

While Rask has been lights-out for the Bruins, the Blues continue to hitch their wagon to breakout rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington (2.36 GAA, .914 save percentage in playoffs). Jaden Schwartz, whose 12 playoff goals surpass the 11 he scored in the regular season, leads the team in scoring with 16 points.

The Bruins, playing in the finals for the third time this decade and seeking their second championship in that span, have been led offensively by a lethal power play that is converting at 34 percent (17 of 50). Brad Marchand has set the pace with 18 points.

[glen a richter]

Key to the game: don’t do anything stupid. Experience on the big stage or not, it’s still the same game. Don’t be overwhelmed by the situation. Score early, deflate the home crowd and wrest home ice away from the Bruins.

Either the Blues win a tight one or the Bruins dominate from start to finish. Which one happens is up to the team.

[gaijin]

Key to the game: don’t do anything stupid.

And don't suck.

In all seriousness, I think the Blues have learned their lesson from Game 1 against the Sharks- they tried to play too tough, too intimidating (goon attack hates everything I am saying right now) and as a result, they were out of position too often in their defensive end, and took dumb penalties to make up for it. I don't think they will try that again. They need to play their simplified, puck control game that served them so well in the last three games.

I still can't believe this is happening. The Blues playing in the Cup Final! Drop the friggin puck already!!!

[glen a richter]

Is it just me or is today taking forever? I’ve never been so excited for the end of a holiday weekend before.

[Kerfuffle]

Wanted to give a shout out to Glen, Curt, dMiles - been awhile since I posted but happy for my buddies here - enjoy!

[JCShutout]

Almost game time!

[glen a richter]

Almost game time!

In the idle time of the last week, I read a lot of different articles and one in particular was about "The Office" loyalties. Dude, Michael Scott is a Bruins fan (as is Jim). got anything of Blues fan Pam Beasley?

[JCShutout]

Maybe its good then that Michael Scott is ready to get hurt.

[Portland Blues]

I can't believe this is actually freaking happening!!!11!1!!!

[glen a richter]

Entertaining start, everyone forgot how to stand on skates.

[glen a richter]

Very very sloppy. Settle it down and score on this power play.

[Robb_K]

Great poke check by Binnington to prevent a point blank shot!

[Robb_K]

Blues get an early chance to take the lead on the power play!

[glen a richter]

Good to see the fixed the power play......

[glen a richter]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

[Portland Blues]

[Robb_K]

Schenn jumps on the rebound and blasts it in!!! Blues lead 1-0!!!

[glen a richter]

Shit

[Portland Blues]

Guess we'll see how good Boston's powerplay is.

[glen a richter]

Jesus