Bruins Struggle Against The Lightning

With the chance to take command of the Eastern Conference the Bruins faltered and put forth a poor effort against the Lightning. The Bruins were a flat team and the Lightning came out buzzing in the first period, rocketing 17 shots on Rask in the first while the Bruins barely mustered 8. The first period ended with no score for either team and the Bruins looking to get their legs under them.

Early in the second the Bruins faltered and Brayden Point scored for the Lightning. A soft goal to allowed by Rask and the Bruins were down one. Shortly after Point’s goal Hedman ripped a shot from the point to put the Lightning up by two. The second period scoring didn’t end their as Callahan out hustled Krug to waive off an icing and found Kunitz on the doorstep to put the Lightning up by three.

With one period remaining the Bruins still had a chance, they have made a three goal comeback once this season. The Bruins launched shots on net but Vasilevskiy was equal to the task and played a steady third to keep the Bruins off the board. J.T. Miller sealed the win for the Lightning by putting them up by four with a snipe from the circle. Vasilevskiy made an impressive 33 saves to earn the shutout.

The Bruins have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL and one poor night in a big game doesn’t worry me. They are better than the way they played last night and if you’ve paid any attention at all this season you know that. They were out muscled by the Lightning and we all know that is a rarity for the B’s. One thing’s for sure this will be a great playoff series if it comes to it. The Bruins still sit in first place in the East and have a game in hand on the Lightning.

After losing Brandon Carlo for the season the Bruins need McAvoy and Chara to be 100% ready to go for the playoffs. Hopefully, Rick Nash, Riley Nash and Sean Kuraly can return to see at least one regular season game before the playoffs. A fully healthy Bruins’ lineup is a force to be reckoned with.

The Bruins have three games remaining two games against the Panthers and one agains the lowly Senators. All three of these are winnable games but as long as the Bruins can pick up two wins they will finish atop the Eastern Conference and earn the first seed. The Bruins won’t see the Lightning until the second round and home ice advantage could be huge.

– Written By Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith4386)