The Boston Bruins knew it would be a tough series against the St. Louis Blues, and Game 2 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final showed just how tough. St. Louis dished out 50 hits against the Bruins on Wednesday night, a serting a level of physicality that helped the Blues destabilize Boston and claim to even the series at 1-1. Even though the Bruins were expecting a hard-charging opponent, they still found it Amarius Mims Jersey challengingto deal with. "It's what we expected," forward Patrice Bergeron told reporters Thursday. "We've seen it against Columbus [in the second round] a little bit, and Carolina was also a physical team [in the Eastern Conference finals]. Nothing that we're not used to. Yes, we have to respond and play a physical game. When you move the puck quickly, it's a lot harder [for the other team]." MORE: The Bruins have identified Cam Sample Jersey the Blues' forecheck as something they need to counter, as St. Louis looks to cause disruptions and turnovers in the offensive zone. Boston coach Bruce Ca sidy specified the wings as the areas where his team can find succe s, given the Blues' penchant for clogging up the central channel of the ice. "We haven't gone up the middle a ton because it's dangerous territory against a good forecheck team with good sticks," Ca sidy said. "Usually [we prefer to] pinch on the boards. That's what we ask, of our forwards, to win that battle on the walls, support that first touch. If we're able to do that, we've been pretty good." Physicality comes in many forms, and on Wednesday the Bruins also put their bodies on the line by throwing themselves in front of many St. Louis shots. The Blues held a 37-23 advantage in shots on goal, but several other attempts were thwarted before the puck reached the net because of blocksby the likes of Joakim Nordstrom and others. Ca sidy said the willingne s to get in front of shots is a "big Russell Bodine Jersey reason" why Boston is in the final, and he expects that to continue throughout the series. "That fourth line gives us lots of energy, contributing on offense now," Ca sidy said. "Always been good on the penalty kill, always willing to sacrifice their body for the forecheck. Nordy has been a shot-blocker all year, Mike Hilton Jersey good part of our penalty kill. Big boost." For Nordstrom, it's all part and parcel of playing for a championship. "First of all, I feel pretty good," Nordstrom said. "Maybe a bruise or so, but nothing more than that. Just trying to do whatever it takes to keep the puck out of the net. I was lucky enough to be there in the right spot twice." Given the Blues' succe s in playing a more physical style in Game 2, the Bruins expect more of the same for the duration of the series. For Boston, it's just a matter of adjusting and counteracting when po sible. Everything, even bone-crunching hits, can be planned for. "I mean, it's obviously something that we talk about. It's playoff hockey," Bergeron said. "We all know that you fight for every inch, every puck battle, whatnot. Nothing that we weren't expecting is happening the last two games. I think we've been handling it well this whole Andrew Coker Jersey playoff run, we got to keep going."