Lightning at Bruins Preview and GDT: A test in Boston

Game #41
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Location: TD Garden
Broadcast/Streaming: BSSUN, ESPN+, Hulu

Opponent’s Site: Stanley Cup Chowder

Preview

As we hit the midway point of the season, the mission remains the same for the Lightning – keep it simple and limit mistakes. Executing that game plan has been an issue from time to time, honestly, for most of the games this season. Still, the Bolts have shown that when they do follow that game plan they can run with any team in the league, including the Bruins, who they beat 5-4 in overtime back in November.

The Lightning are coming off of a 4-1 win against the Wild in which they received three goals from their blueline (two from Darren Raddysh) something that has been an issue a bit for them this year. With his brace, Raddysh moved into a tie with Mikhail Sergachev for the number two spot in goals scored by defensemen. For an offense that relies on so many shots from the point, that’s not exactly ideal.

There is likely to be at least one new face on the blueline as the Bolts shuffled defenders again with Emil Lileberg and Jack Thompson getting called up yesterday. Declan Carlile performed well in his one-game audition before being reassigned to Syracuse and the coaching staff will be hoping for more of the same from whomever gets the call tonight.

Regardless of who dresses on the blueline, the Lightning will have to keep things simple. That means the forwards can’t flee the zone early when the Bolts are looking to break out, and focus on getting the puck on net. A win tonight will make this an extremely successful road trip and a tremendous boost for the Lightning’s playoff hopes.

Stats Match-up

Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning Projected Lines

Forwards
Brandon Hagel – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Nick Paul – Anthony Cirelli – Steven Stamkos
Michael Eyssimont – Tyler Motte – Conor Sheary

Tanner Jeannot – Luke Glendening – Austin Watson

Defenders
Victor Hedman – Nick Perbix
Calvin de Haan – Darren Raddysh

Jack Thompson (?) – Philippe Myers

Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Jonas Johansson

Boston Bruins Projected Lines

Forwards
Pavel Zacha – Morgan Geekie – David Pasternak

Brad Marchand – Charlie Coyle – Jake DeBrusk

James Van Riemsdyk – Trent Frederic – Danton Heinen

John Beecher – Georgii Merkulov – Oskar Steen

Defenders

Matt Grzelcyk – Charlie McAvoy

Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo

Mason Lohrei – Kevin Shattenkirk

Goalies
Linus Ullmark

Jeremy Swayman

Question of the Night

How many goals will it take to win tonight?