The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals by a score of 5-2.
Both teams had significant time off between series, but that didn’t seem to make a difference. Both were on their game. At least, they were at first.
Then the Lightning scored three goals in 85 seconds in the first period. Sean Bergenheim continued his playoff goal scoring dominance by getting the first goal at 11:15 of the first (assists from Dominic Moore and Victor Hedman). Then Brett Clark scored 19 seconds later (unassisted), making it 2-0 Lightning. And finally, Teddy Purcell scored (also unassisted) to make it 3-0 at 12:40.
After that, the Bruins didn’t have a chance. They appeared to be rattled, and never managed to regain their composure for long. Rookie Tyler Seguin scored 3:19 after Purcell did in the first, and that gave the Bruins some life, but in the end they weren’t able to follow that up with much of anything.
When it became apparent that the Bruins weren’t going to win the game, they became undisciplined and took penalties. That’s definitely a good to know. Because if you can get a team to take penalties, then you get more chances to score, and it looks like getting the Bruins off balance might not be such a difficult thing to do.
Let me put it another way. Both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals were pretty disciplined teams. That is, they didn’t resort to taking unnecessary penalties when they were seriously losing. And since the Lightning were able to get past them, it might not be as difficult to get past the Bruins. (“Might” being the key word there.)
With this win, the Lightning have now won eight playoff games in a row. Dwayne Roloson also becomes the oldest goaltender since Hockey Hall of Famer Jacques Plante to do that. Plante won eight playoff games in 1969 at the age of 40.
Game 2 against Boston is on Tuesday, 17 May. Game time is at 8 pm Eastern on Versus. However, you might want to check out Game 1 between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks, which is tomorrow night, 15 May, also at 8 pm Eastern on Versus. Whoever wins that series may be the Lightning’s next opponent, after all.
