Desperate times call for desperate measures.

With five games left, the Bruins need to find a way to hold on to their third place spot in the Atlantic Division. That will not be easy in this next two-game stretch that begins tonight in St. Louis and ends in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.

Both Brett Connolly and Dennis Seidenberg did not make the trip to the Midwest. John-Michael Liles, who missed the last few games with a lower body injury, is set to return to the lineup and will likely take Seidenberg’s place alongside Joe Morrow. Seth Griffith was called up on an emergency basis to give the B’s an extra forward on the trip.

As the month turns to April, the Bruins hope for a turn of fortunes. During this recent seven-game stretch, the Black and Gold have only scored 10 goals. That obviously needs to change if they have any hope of getting out of this late season rut and into the postseason. Otherwise, they’ll suffer from another case of April fools.

Gametime: 8:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 40-29-8 (88 points), Blues 46-22-9 (101 points)
Location: Scottrade Center

Bruins projected lines

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Loui Eriksson
Matt Beleskey-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Frank Vatrano-Ryan Spooner-Lee Stempniak
Landon Ferraro-Noel Acciari-Jimmy Hayes

Zdeno Chara-Kevan Miller
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Joe Morrow-John-Michael Liles

Tuukka Rask
Jonas Gustavsson

Blues projected lines

Jaden Schwartz-Joni Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko
Patrik Berglund-Alex Steen-David Backes
Dmitri Jaskin-Paul Stastny-Troy Brouwer
Scottie Upshall-Kyle Brodziak-Ryan Reaves

Joel Edmundson-Alex Pietrangelo
Kevin Shattenkirk-Colton Parayko
Petteri Lindbohm-Robert Bortuzzo

Brian Elliott
Jake Allen

Matchup to watch: Bruins power play vs. Blues penalty kill

Torey Krug and the Bruins power play have only lit the lamp twice in the last seven games. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

It appeared the Bruins’ power play was getting back on track after scoring twice in their 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs six days ago. Well, like the rest of their game, they went back to their inconsistent play of late against the Devils with an 0-for-2 performance on the man advantage.

During this recent seven-game stretch, the B’s are 2-for-19 on the power play. They have gotten some good opportunities during this time but continued the alarming ongoing trend of not being able to convert on those chances.

Whether it’s better puck movement, winning one-on-one battles or simply tweaking the personnel — like putting Brad Marchand on the first power play unit — head coach Claude Julien and company must find a formula for success. At the very least, the now ninth-ranked B’s power play, which has converted 20.6 percent of their chances in 77 games, can stop the bleeding with a couple of goals against a Blues penalty kill that is ranked third in the league with a success rate of 85 percent.

Storyline to watch: The ongoing playoff chase

David Pastrnak and company need to come out with desperation in another must-win game. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

With the Flyers’ 2-1 shootout win over the Capitals on Wednesday night, Philadelphia pulled ahead of Boston in points (89). That leaves the Bruins and Red Wings battling for third in the Atlantic Division. Like the B’s, the Red Wings won’t have an easy task tonight when they host a Minnesota Wild team fighting for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

With two tough games coming up tonight and Sunday, there’s a good chance that the Bruins will be on the outside looking in of a playoff spot if they don’t come away with any points. The worst case scenario would have them trailing the Wings by three points heading into the final weekend of the season. Detroit is also in action tomorrow in Toronto to cap off the second game of a back to back.

The Bruins need to show desperation. Otherwise, they’ll face yet another off-season of uncertainty.