After a round one knockout of the Blue Jackets in five games, the focus turned to the Boston Bruins. The Bruins may have taken game one, but the Lightning did not make it easy and for the most part looked like the better team. Unfortunately for the Lightning, some costly mistakes on defense proved to be too much for them to come back from.
Hard hitting opening frame
Both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins started the game playing very physically. It was no surprise that both teams would start the physical game early on as both teams made moves at the deadline to toughen up their squads. The Lightning benefited from an early power chance play in the first minute when Zdeno Chara cross-checked Blake Coleman. However, they were not able to capitalize and the rest of the period would remain scoreless until the Bruins opened up the scoring late in the period. Charlie Coyle went straight to the net after coming off the bench allowing him to tip-in a goal past Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Bruins strike early, Lightning mistakes arise
Bruins would continue to command the game early in the second period and cash in on a power play opportunity. David Pastrnak ripped the feed from David Krejci on the power play to extend the Bruins lead to 2-0. Leaving Pastrnak wide open led to the the goal, and this would not be the only crucial mistake the Lightning would make. Tampa Bay, for the most part took command of the game after giving up the power play goal, but were unable to answer Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak. Despite being out-shot in the 1st period the Lightning found themselves out-shooting the Bruins in the period and looked like the better team on the ice. Shots were 28-22 in favor of the Bolts after 2 periods, but Halak remained a mystery they could not solve.
Lightning miscue propels Bruins offense
Again Boston controlled the game to start the final period and once again take advantage of the defensive miscues of the Lightning defense. Ryan McDonagh’s costly turnover extended the Bruins lead to 3-0 after a solid setup play by Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand. Bruins however would not be able to add to their lead, and give the Lightning a chance to come back in the game. Victor Hedman opened up the scoring for Tampa with a wrist shot that made it past Halak to make it a 2 goal game. It was thanks to a screen by Bruins forward Charlie McAvoy that allowed the puck to slip past Halak. With the Bolt’s net empty the Bruins looked to seal the game, but the Lightning would not make it easy.
Last minute surge falls short
With the net empty and a little over a minute left in the game Tampa Bay managed to make it a 1 goal game. Hedman again would find the back of the net to add some late drama to Game 1. Unfortunately for the Lightning is was too little to late as they would not be able to tie the game up and send it into overtime. The team did a great job preventing Boston from getting an empty net goal, but did not have the time to find an equalizer. Tampa will look to rebound in Game 2 on Tuesday.
Three Stars of the Game
1st Star – David Pastrnak: 1 goal and 1 assist
2nd Star – Victor Hedman: 2 goals
3rd Star – Brad Marchand 1 goal and 1 assist
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