The stakes were clear: In a Stanley Cup Final elimination game, the away team held a one-goal advantage during the second period.
And while fighting to preserve the Bruins’ 1-0 lead, it was Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy who made one of the memorable plays of Sunday’s Game 6 in St. Louis.
A shot from Alex Pietrangelo hit the post before bouncing off Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask’s back. The puck flew through the air toward the goal-line, appearing destined to tie the game. But McAvoy’s quick thinking helped prevent the goal.
With a quick flick of his stick, the 21-year-old swatted the puck out of mid-air back into Rask before it eventually fell to the side of the net.