Well-rested Bruins 'itching' to get Stanley Cup Final underway

To say the Boston Bruins will be rested once the puck drops in the Stanley Cup Final would be an understatement.

The Eastern Conference champions haven't suited up since May 16 when they completed their sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes. Once their matchup with the St. Louis Blues commences Monday, it will mark an 11-day gap between games.

"It's been a long stretch of not playing games," Boston forward Charlie Coyle told NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "We're just itching to get there. But we've just used the time to our advantage, stay positive and stay upbeat. Once the time comes, we'll be ready."

Along with a regular practice schedule, the Bruins hosted a packed crowd at TD Garden on Thursday night for a scrimmage to simulate a game-type atmosphere amid the lengthy layoff.

When Game 1 starts, the Blues will have been off for six days.

It all gets underway May 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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