Bruins Admit Premature Blues Stanley Cup Newspaper Ads Lit a Fire Under Them for Game 6

Before Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals had even started, the Blues had to tamp down the mentality that they'd already accomplished something special. It wasn't easy, though, especially with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch accidentally releasing post-victory ads and letters to subscribers in their digital edition.

And once they were released, there was nothing the Lou could do to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands.

According to several Bruins players, they were shown these ads that were set to be released in the event the Blues had taken Game 6. So many congratulations, from the owner Tom Stillman to the city, definitely rankled Boston heading into the matchup.

Obviously, the ads weren't suppose to be released until after the Blues won the Stanley Cup. But thanks to a technical error and the power of social media, the Bruins drank it all up before a 5-1 win. As defenseman Torey Krug told The Athletic when asked if he'd seen the material pregame, “Yeah. Because it was everywhere.”

With the Blues just a game away from securing their first every Stanley Cup victory, it's understandable that someone got a little over-excited with these ads. Unfortunately, the slip-up turned into motivation; the ads were printed out and distributed in the Bruins locker room before the contest.

“We saw it,” Brandon Carlo told WBZ. “Put a fire in us for sure. We don’t like that kind of stuff. We don’t want that to happen in Boston by any means.

Now, instead of watching St. Louis celebrate, we're headed back to Boston for a Game 7.

It makes sense to have these types of ads and championship gear already made when your team is just a win away from winning the Stanley Cup. However, letting them get out before you've won is inexcusable and, frankly, a little embarrassing.

Especially when you're facing Boston.