Stanley Cup Final Game 4: Bruins 3 Keys to Victory

The Boston Bruins lead the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in the Stanley Cup Final after a dominant 7-2 victory in Game 3. While everyone praised the Bruins for the “perfect” game, head coach Bruce Cassidy was far from pleased with his team’s effort. In fact, Cassidy called the victory “far from perfect” and said his team has areas to improve in if they want to win the Stanely Cup.

The Bruins expect a push back from the Blues and the team will need to be prepared from the start as captain Zdeno Chara pointed out when asked Sunday on what he expects from the Blues to start Game 4.

“We got to be ready from the first puck drop,” Chara told the media. “It’s that time of year, you have to invest in everything you got mentally and physically, especially mentally.”

Here’s what the Bruins need to do in Game 4 to put those words into action:

Keys to Boston Game 4 Victory

Get to Jordan Binnington Early – The Bruins put six goals past Blues rookie goalie Jordan Binnington in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. Binnington has the ability to bounce back after a loss which he has shown in the playoffs. The Bruins will want to put pucks on the net early and often to test Binnington’s mental state. With a couple of cheap goals in Game 3, you have to believe the Bruins will want to shoot the puck from everywhere on the ice to see if the same result happens.

Keep Composure – Throughout the playoffs, but especially in the Stanley Cup Final, the Bruins have been kept their composure, especially Brad Marchand, who can get under the skin of his opponents. At times he has pulled players away after the whistle has gone to make sure the Bruins are not penalized. With all the after the whistle shenanigans in Game 3, it is best to just walk away than to get involved in that kind of stuff.

“We talk about stay focus, stay in the moment, things like that happen,” Chara told the media on Sunday.  “It’s the playoffs, its a battle and both teams want to win. So obviously there is some physicality, maybe after the whistle as well. But just to stay composed and focused on your task.”

Keep Things Simple Once Again – The best way to play on the road is to keep things simple. The Bruins executed that plan in Game 3. That same mindset must carry over into Game 4. As Patrice Bergeron noted prior to Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday.

“I think it’s always about simplifying your game and taking it not a shift at a time, but a period at a time. I think the first goal is always huge in the game. We know St. Louis likes to start strong. It’s about worrying about what you control, how you play.”

The Bruins have never been satisfied and always want more. That mental mindset will be beneficial for the start of Game 4 which happens Monday night at 8 pm ET.

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