Blues Take 3-2 Lead In Stanley Cup Final, Blown Non-Call In Third Period Hurts The Bruins

Stan Grossfield/The Boston Globe

The St. Louis Blues took a 3-2 lead in the Stanley Cup Final last night, winning 2-1 despite being out-shot 39-21 by the Bruins.

A key moment in Thursday night's match occurred just midway through the third period, as Bruins fourth-liner Noel Acciari was the victim of an obvious slewfoot from fellow center Tyler Bozak. No penalty was called, Acciari was injured on the play (he didn't return to the game), essentially giving the Blues a 5-on-4 as they ended up scoring to take a 2-0 lead:

Unbelievable. Noel Acciari is tripped and the Blues score to make it 2-0. This is a joke pic.twitter.com/6qrwz1WoKd

— Evan Marinofsky (@emarinofsky) June 7, 2019

Incredibly, the NHL's official Twitter account didn't even bother showing what actually happened prior to the goal scored by David Perron:

Goal No. 7️⃣ of the #StanleyCup Playoffs for @DP_57 holds up as the game-winner. pic.twitter.com/SWCmr9N5Bj

— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2019

Jake DeBrusk scored his fourth goal of the playoffs and first of the series with 6:26 left in the third to make it a 2-1 game. Although getting some solid chances to score down the stretch, the Bruins were simply unable to find the equalizer.

Boston out-shot St. Louis 17-8 in the first period, and 14-7 in the third.

On three power-play opportunities, the Bruins were unable to score; the Blues failed on one such chance.

Ryan O'Reilly opened the scoring with his third goal in two games 55 seconds into the second period, back-handing one past Tuukka Rask on a nice behind-the-net feed from Zach Sanford:

That's three goals in the last two games and six points in the last four games for Ryan O'Reilly □ #stlblues

To celebrate last night's win, Blues fans can get 50% off your online order today only at @papajohns_stl. Use promo code BLUES3. pic.twitter.com/j8U4TUslXm

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) June 7, 2019

It was O'Reilly's second straight game with a first-minute goal in a period, as he scored 43 seconds into Game 4.

Unsurprisingly, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy was not happy with the blown non-call:

"I'm a fan of the game. This is the National Hockey League, it's getting a black eye with their officiating this playoffs...it was egregious."

□ Bruce Cassidy reacts following the #NHLBruins' Game 5 loss: pic.twitter.com/iyLxzCJTFo

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 7, 2019

Boston dressed seven defensemen in the game as David Backes sat out; Steven Kampfer was added to the blue line along with the six that took the ice in Games 3 and 4.

With their backs against the wall, the Bruins will look to force a Game 7 on Sunday night in St. Louis.