BOSTON -- Torey Krug and the Bruins threw a powerful first punch in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Will the St. Louis Blues target Krug with their counterpunch Wednesday night?
The Blues mostly left the Bruins defenseman alone after he leveled Robert Thomas with a massive hit in the third period Monday at TD Garden. They were chasing a one-goal deficit, after all, and couldn't afford to take a bad penalty.
But even with a clean slate in Game 2, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy doesn't expect anything dirty from St. Louis in response to Krug's hit.
"They're a pretty honest team, St. Louis. I think they'll finish all their checks, whether it's (Matt) Grzelcyk or (Connor) Clifton," Cassidy said Wednesday after Boston's morning skate, referencing two Blues hits on his own players. "They're going to play hard. So, I don't expect retaliation."
Cassidy knows the Blues will be opportunistic between the whistles, though, and that Krug should keep his head on a swivel.
Boston Bruins
"If Torey puts himself in a bad spot, they're going to hit him," Cassidy added. "I think that's what's going to happen."
St. Louis has every reason to seek retribution for Krug's massive (but clean) shot on Thomas, especially after head coach Craig Berube confirmed Wednesday that Thomas won't play in Game 2.
The Blues took five penalties in Game 1, however, and above all else need to play a clean game Wednesday night at TD Garden if they hope to tie this Cup Final series at 1-1.
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