2011 NHL Playoffs; Bruins Blank Lightning, Regain Home-Ice Advantage
The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning had combined for 18 goals in the series' first two games, and ten of those were let in by Tim Thomas. So how did he respond?
Domination.
Thomas saved all 31 shots taken by Tampa Bay, and the Bruins defeated the Lightning 2-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. David Krejci and Andrew Ference scored for Boston.
After finding the net five times in Game 1, and leading early in Game 2, Tampa Bay was expected to dominate. But Boston found a way to win Game 2, and their star goalie helped them win Game 3.
Krejci's goal was huge for the Bruins, and it was spectacular, too. He received a pass from Milan Lucic, faked out Dwayne Roloson with a shot, moved the puck to the left and back-handed the shot in.
Ference's was a little easier. He fired a slap shot from a long ways away, and Roloson failed to cover up the puck. However, that goal wasn't needed, considering how great Thomas was.
Roloson made some nice saves for the Lightning, and he stopped just about every great scoring chance by the Bruins. Unfortunately, the two he didn't stop were the ones that got Boston a victory.
After dominating the final games in Pittsburgh, and playing well enough to beat the Capitals, Roloson has struggled a bit. The Lightning defense hasn't done as well either, forcing Roloson to make key stops at times.
They have not supported Roloson at all, and they've forced him to do everything himself. They were pretty good until this series, where they've fallen apart.
Boston has been great at getting rebounds, good opportunities, and passing. The Bruins are ready to take down Tampa Bay in five games, and even though it looked like Tampa Bay could sweep last Saturday, Boston in five games doesn't seem unreasonable now.
Game 4 is Saturday in Tampa Bay.
Domination.
Thomas saved all 31 shots taken by Tampa Bay, and the Bruins defeated the Lightning 2-0 to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. David Krejci and Andrew Ference scored for Boston.
After finding the net five times in Game 1, and leading early in Game 2, Tampa Bay was expected to dominate. But Boston found a way to win Game 2, and their star goalie helped them win Game 3.
Krejci's goal was huge for the Bruins, and it was spectacular, too. He received a pass from Milan Lucic, faked out Dwayne Roloson with a shot, moved the puck to the left and back-handed the shot in.
Ference's was a little easier. He fired a slap shot from a long ways away, and Roloson failed to cover up the puck. However, that goal wasn't needed, considering how great Thomas was.
Roloson made some nice saves for the Lightning, and he stopped just about every great scoring chance by the Bruins. Unfortunately, the two he didn't stop were the ones that got Boston a victory.
After dominating the final games in Pittsburgh, and playing well enough to beat the Capitals, Roloson has struggled a bit. The Lightning defense hasn't done as well either, forcing Roloson to make key stops at times.
They have not supported Roloson at all, and they've forced him to do everything himself. They were pretty good until this series, where they've fallen apart.
Boston has been great at getting rebounds, good opportunities, and passing. The Bruins are ready to take down Tampa Bay in five games, and even though it looked like Tampa Bay could sweep last Saturday, Boston in five games doesn't seem unreasonable now.
Game 4 is Saturday in Tampa Bay.
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