Rask makes 32 saves, Bruins defeat Blues

BOSTON -- Tuukka Rask made 32 saves and extended his point streak to 19 games in the Boston Bruins' 3-1 win against the St. Louis Blues at TD Garden on Thursday.

Rask, who is 17-0-2 in his past 20 games (19 starts), hasn't lost in regulation since Nov. 26. His point streak is the fourth-longest in Bruins history.
\[WATCH: All Blues vs. Bruins highlights\]
"A lot of it is team play, like how your team plays in front of you," Rask said. "Lately, goalies, we haven't had to stand on our heads and play unbelievable games to keep us in it. Our team is playing great hockey offensively, defensively and all-around. … We try to be there when the time comes and we have to make those saves, and that's it."
David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron and David Backes scored for the Bruins (30-11-8), who have gotten a point in 19 of their past 20 games (15-1-4) and have won six of their past seven.
Jake Allen made a season-high 43 saves, and Jaden Schwartz scored for the Blues (31-19-3), who lost for the first time in four games.

Allen, who made his first start in seven games, is 0-5-0 in his past five starts and hasn't won since Dec. 23.
"I felt great. It was my first start in a while but I've been working hard and I've been ready," Allen said. "I felt like myself. It wasn't enough tonight."
Krejci scored at 12:32 of the first period during a scramble in front after Jake DeBrusk's shot went off Allen and deflected up in the air. Blues defenseman Joel Edmundson tried to clear the puck out of the crease, but Krejci intercepted the puck and shot it into the empty net for a 1-0 lead.
Blues coach Mike Yeo challenged for goaltender interference, but the play was upheld after video review.
It was the first time in nine games the Bruins scored first.
"Even without the first goal, I thought our start was a lot better than the last eight, nine games," Bergeron said. "So, we just had to keep pushing and finding a way. And obviously, getting the goal gave us some more momentum to carry over."

Bergeron scored a power-play goal at 9:05 of the third period for a 2-0 lead. David Pastrnak passed from below the goal line to Bergeron in the right slot, where he one-timed a shot past Allen's blocker.
Schwartz made it 2-1 with a goal at 1:32, redirecting a pass from Brayden Schenn at the top of the crease after the Blues had pulled Allen.
Backes scored an empty-net goal with 0.7 seconds left to make it 3-1.

Goal of the game

Krejci's goal at 12:32 of the first period.

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Save of the game

Rask's save on Schwartz at 1:45 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Allen's save on Backes at 9:33 of the third period.

They said it

"You come off the ice and initially you're thinking, 'I feel bad for Jake [Allen]. He played a really good game and it's too bad we didn't get the win.' But the more I was thinking about it, I'm actually happy for Jake. I'm happy that he played that game. I thought he was outstanding tonight, and if he continues to play like that, then the game will reward him."- St. Louis coach Mike Yeo
"I think our guys did respond well knowing this is the type of game you're going to see down the road and you've got to be comfortable in them and be able to win your share. And so I do believe that our guys were prepared to get their noses dirty when need be and still play a speed game when the situation dictated." -- Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy on responding after having an 18-game point streak ended by the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday

Need to know

Schwartz's goal was his 15th of the season but first in three games since returning from a lower-body injury that kept him out for 20 games… The Bruins had 22 shots on goal in the second period, a season high for one period. Their 46 shots were a season high for a game… Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller sustained an upper-body injury in the second period and did not return. … Pastrnak's assist extended his point streak to seven games (three goals, six assists).

What's next

Blues: At the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, FS-MW, NHL.TV)
Bruins: Host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, CITY, TVA Sports, NESN, NHL.TV)