ECF Game 2 preview: Tampa Bay Lightning (5) at Boston Bruins (3)

WHERE: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
WHEN: 8 PM EDT | | TICKETS: Check Availability
MEDIA: Versus, CBC, RDS (cable), 970 WFLA (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Stanley Cup of Chowder, Something’s Bruin, Days of Y’Orr

It hasn’t been said, specifically, but it feels like the Boston Bruins are trying to rattle the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s cage off-ice as well as on.

You all remember the way Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals ended, right? Nathan Horton‘s shot on Dominic Moore, Victor Hedman motions toward Horton and then — boom! — sucker punch by Milan Lucic:

Of course, that scrum just led to a 5-on-3 power play to end the game, and Lucic under scrutiny from the league for his actions.

Brad Marchand thought Hedman got what was coming to him:

“(He) had it coming,” Bruins C Brad Marchand said of Milan Lucic‘s punch to Hedman’s face late in the third period of Game 1. Marchand didn’t elaborate….”(Hedman) was acting like he wanted to go back at (Lucic),” Marchand said. “I don’t think that would be advised.”

At what point was Hedman getting ready to go back at Lucic, Brad? When he was crawling ont he ice or skating to the bench?

My point is this: The Bruins key to game 2 is to be physical and rattle off an emotional reaction from the Lightning, and thus throw off the Bolts game. Verbal jabs can help the process along.

How accepting are you of the fact that game 1’s performance by Bruins netminder was an anomaly? Three goals, 85 seconds… It just doesn’t happen on Tim’s watch, and it certainly won’t happen again. I’m not saying this to prop up Thomas as-so-much lower expectations by fans who think the Lightning offense can and will score at will.

There’s not much else to point that hasn’t been repeated umpteen times since Saturday: The Lightning have won 8 in-a-row, the Lightning penalty kill has allowed all of 3 goals in 58 short-handed situations (94.8% effective). They have yet to allow a power play goal while on the road during the playoffs. The Bolts own power play was 1-for-7 on the power play against the Bruins on Saturday night (the power play goal was scored by Marc-Andre Bergeron).

Don’t forget that tonight the Lightning host a watch party outside the St. Pete Times Forum