BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins scores a first period goal on a power play past Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 17, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Only thirteen seconds into the game the Lightning managed to get one past Tim Thomas as the puck deflected off the end boards out to the other side of the net and Adam Hall was able to knock it in the net past Thomas. After that goal the Bruins came back with some solid play. They would tie the game 1-1 with Nathan Horton scoring a power-play goal, his 6th goal of the playoffs. He tipped in a hard Dennis Seidenberg slap shot. From the replay it looked like the puck would have gone in even if Horton didn't tip it. With only 7 seconds left in the period, Martin St. Louis scored to give the Lightning a 2-1 lead.
In the second period, the Bruins dominated the play and scored five times in the period. Tyler Seguin would score 48 seconds into the period and give the Bruins a big lift and to tie the game 2-2. It was Seguin's 2nd goal of the playoffs in his 2nd playoff game. David Krejci would score later, his 6th goal of the playoffs, to make it 3-2 Bruins. Later, Seguin would score again, his 3rd goal of the playoffs, to make it 4-2 Bruins. 1:18 later, Vincent Lecavalier would score a power-play goal for the Lightning to make it 4-3. Later, Michael Ryder scored his 3rd goal of the playoffs, a power-play goal, to make it 5-3 Bruins. With 19 seconds left in the period, Ryder scored again, his 4th goal of the playoffs, to make it 6-3 Bruins.
Mike Smith would replace Dwayne Roloson for the third period. The third period was dominated by the Lightning as it looked like the Bruins sat back. It was really tough to watch this period. The Lightning scored twice in the period (Steven Stamkos and Dominic Moore scored) and they had chances to tie the game but Tim Thomas came up big stopping those chances. The Bruins would hold on and win the game 6-5 but it was a nail biter down to the end.
Tim Thomas made 36 saves on 41 shots. Thomas is now 9-4 with a 2.39 GAA and a .927 save percentage in the playoffs this season.
The Lightning led the game in shots 41-35. The Bruins led the game in faceoff wins 41-32 and hits 30-23.
Notes from the game
Marc Savard was at the Garden in attendance watching the game.
The Bruins power-play woke up tonight, going 2 for 5.
Tyler Seguin ended the game with 4 points (2 goals and 2 assists) and was +3. He now has 6 points in 2 games during the playoffs. He needs to keep playing and playing more minutes. Seguin had 13:31 of ice time. When someone is producing like that you ride them.
Michael Ryder had a strong game as well, on a line with Seguin, scoring 2 goals, getting an assist and was +2.
Moving Rich Peverley on the line with Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi was a good move. I initially thought they would do this in game 1 but they didn't. Peverley's speed should work well with Marchand's speed.
Nathan Horton had a strong game too, scoring a goal and getting 2 assists, despite his 4 PIMs. Horton led the Bruins with 7 hits.
Dennis Seidenberg had 2 assists and was +2.
Johnny Boychuk had a rough night as he was -3.
Can I ask what's with the fans throwing stuff on the ice after the game? You do realize the Bruins won right? Were you upset the Bruins sat back in the third period? I just don't get it. Maybe it's because I'm grown up now that I don't get it?
Onto the next one
Game 3 is on Thursday in Tampa Bay at 8pm ET.
The Bruins need 7 more wins to bring the Cup to Boston.
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