Zach Sanford has had an interesting 2018-2019 season.
The Massachusetts native was one of the most productive players on the Blues' roster to start the season, stumbled as the season rolled along and was eventually replaced in the starting lineup after three games in the playoffs.
Now, he's getting ready to start against his hometown Boston Bruins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
It's a bit of a surreal feeling for the New England kid and former Boston College Eagle. His family is even having a bit of a hard time adjusting to rooting against the Bruins.
Zach said his mom had to catch herself rooting for Boston after the Bruins scored a goal in Game 1.
"Yeah, she told me she caught herself cheering a little bit for the Bruins but she turned back quick and started cheering for us again," Sanford said.
Sanford said he grew up a die-hard Bruins fan, but things change.
"Well, till now," Sanford said. "Completely over it."
The circumstances that led to Sanford cracking the lineup for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final were a bit unfortunate for the Blues. Robert Thomas is out with an injury, and Oskar Sundqvist is serving his one game suspension for a hit in Game 2.
Even Sanford marvels at the chain reaction that now pits him against his boyhood team in the biggest game of his life.
"It's kind of crazy how things like this work out," Sanford said.