Marchand scores 2 to lead Bruins over Blues 4-2

[February 23, 2012]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Brad Marchand scored twice and Tim Thomas stopped 30 shots to lead the Boston Bruins to a 4-2 win over St. Louis on Wednesday, ending the Blues' team-record point streak at 21 home games.

Chris Stewart and Ryan Reaves scored for the Blues on the first five shots of the game, but Thomas stopped the next 27 shots to give the Blues their first regulation loss to an Eastern Conference team in 15 games this season.

St. Louis, 26-4-4 at home, last lost at home in regulation 5-2 decision to Chicago on Dec. 3, 2011.

Marchand and Milan Lucic scored in the first period to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead. Marchand pushed the lead to 4-2 midway through the third period with his 21st goal of the season.

Chris Kelly, who assisted on Lucic's goal, broke a 13-game scoreless drought with his 15th goal of the season, tying a career high and putting the Bruins up 3-2 lead with 40 seconds left in the first period.

Thomas and the Blues' Brian Elliott gave up a combined five goals on 16 shots in the first period.

Elliott, who entered the game with a league-leading 1.56 goals-against average, fell to 20-7-2 and lost for the second game in a row after a five-game winning streak.

NOTES: Referee Ian Walsh left the game early in the second period after suffering a cut that required medical attention. He returned 5:13 later. ... The Blues open a six-game road trip Thursday night in Nashville. Coach Ken Hitchcock is winless (0-11-6-1) in his last 18 games in Nashville. ... Elliott made his fourth successive start, tying a season high. ... The Bruins were making their first to St. Louis since Nov. 23, 2009. ... Boston has a league-best plus-33 scoring advantage in the third period.

[Associated Press]

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