The Tampa Bay Lightning played a shaky game and did not look like their best after a long rest. As for the Bruins, they did not play their best either but made the plays when they needed to and Rask played on his head. Both teams did play a fairly disciplined game as there were only 4 penalties called in the game. It was a close game with lots of big hits until late in the second when the Bruins took over. The Bolts are now down 0-1 in the series and will have one more home game before heading out to Boston for two games. Let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts started out looking good, putting on the pressure early. They kept up the pressure for the next few mins getting some nice chances but Rask turned them away. Tampa also started playing physical getting the crowd into the game preventing Boston from playing the game they wanted.  Tampa kept up the good work until about halfway through the period, things started to turn the other way. Boston started to get some chances of their own but Vasy and the Bolts D turned them away. Ryan Callahan was then called for hooking and the Bruins would get the first PP of the night. The Bruins did not take long to capitalize here as Rick Nash deflected one right past Vasy to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Despite being down 1 the Bolts kept pushing. Both teams would get a few more chances but neither would get anything in the back of the net. Despite the Bolts many chances, the Bruins would come away with the lead.

Goals: 1-0 Boston

Shots: 13-11 Boston

Second Period

The Bruins started this period off right as they quickly got to work. Bergeron came in hot and put one right past Vasy to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead just 49 seconds into the period. The Bruins kept rolling through and got chance after chance after chance. The Bolts didn’t stay down for long though as Dan Girardi ripped one from the point that got past Rask and pulled the Bolts within one. Then just halfway through the period, the Bruins thought they had recaptured their 2 goal lead but it was waved off because of a delayed penalty to Pastranak. He would get 2 min for cross-checking and send the Bolts to their first power play of the night. The Bruins PK unit stood strong though and kept this a one-goal game. Just a few seconds after the penalty was over the Bruins took off and Rick Nash would get his second of the night giving the Bruins a 3-1 lead. Not much later after the goal, Jake DeBrusk would get 2 for interference and give the Bolts their second PP opportunity. The Bolts did not like the idea of going down 2 goals into the third so they made sure that changed. Sergachev blasted one from the point and put it past Rask to once again pull the bolts within one. Rask was absolute livid though as the blade of his skate had apparently come off. In a blind rage, Rask hobbled to the officials with his blade in his had screaming at the officials. The refs discussed it and determined that no stoppage was necessary. The Rule states that no players or goalies equipment malfunction will stop play unless it being, of course, the goalies mask. Both teams would get a few more chances but the Bruins would head into the final 20 with a one-goal lead.

Goals: 3-2 Boston

Shots: 25-18 Tampa Bay

Third Period

Things did not get any better for the Bolts in the final 20 of this one. Just a few min into it Brad Marchand tiped one past Vasy to make it 4-2 Boston. The Bolts would get some big chances but the puck would just not bounce their way. Then at about the halfway mark Boston kept pouring it on. Bergeron Slaped one from the slot rihri into the back of the net to give the Bruins a 5-2 lead. Just a min latter the Bolts had a chance to get something going as Jake Debrusk would get called for cross checking. Cooper alos made one of his bold moves pulling Vasy with over 9 min to go. The Bruins kept on fighting and they successfully killed off the penalty. Just a minute later Jake Debrusk would come out of the box and score the empty-netter to make it 6-2 Bruins. The Bolts would finish out the last few min in defeat as the Bruins coasted to their first victory of the sirese.

Goals: 6-2 Boston

Shots: 36-24 Tampa Bay

3 Stars

1. Patrice Bergeron (2G, 1A)
2. Rick Nash (2G)
3. David Pastranak (4A)

Up Next and Final Strike

The Bolts did not play their best game by far and looked shakey at best. Vasy did not look like himself as he let in a few shots that you would think he could stop. The Bolts offense could also not get going as they made too many bad passes that led to big turn overs. Despite being a little bit of a baby Rask played very good and kept the Bruins in this game at some points. Their where some positives to take away from this game as the Bolts where able to put on some pressure early in the first. If the offence can repeat that for a full 60 min their luck should hopefully change. The Bolts will also need to make sure they shut down the Bruins top line. The Bruins do not have much firepower after that but if the line gets going they will be in trouble. With that said, the Bolts will look to bounce back in game 2. I expect the Bolts to have the rust out of them and play a much better game Monday night.

The Bolts will look to rebound in game 2 against the Boston Bruins, Monday April 30th at 7:00 PM