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Shipping up to Boston; Lightning at Boston Bruins preview

WHERE: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
WHEN: 7 PM EST
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Stanley Cup of Chowder

The Lightning are in Boston tonight to play the Bruins for the second time in nine days. Last week, you may recall, the Lightning put up 3 goals on Tuukka Rask in their victory against the B’s.

The Lightning have lucked out, perhaps, because the Bruins played last night, against the Philadelphia Flyers. That’s not guaranteeing a worn out Bruins squad… But with the Lightning not firing on all cylinders (going to overtime against the Leafs, the loss to the Panthers and Capitals before it), they can use any extra help they can get at the moment.

Rask starting against the Lightning again seems likely…  I’m less concerned about who starts in net than the fact the Tampa Bay franchise’s all-time record in Boston is a dismal 4-23-6 according to Mcubed.net.

In a bit of self-promotion, check out Cassie’s piece on From The Rink. She talks about the force-fed marketing of Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin (and their “rivalry”) while a more organically created third opinion has come onto the scene: Steven Stamkos.

Meanwhile, J. J. from Kansas at Winging It In Motown asked us about Steve Yzerman and the Lightning this season.  Me and Meredith Qualls gave our viewpoints on things that have happened so far, and our outlook on the future.

Back to Lightning news: Blair Jones was demoted yesterday with Gagne coming off IR. Simon being back in is good, but Mattias Ritola may or may not be out (again) with an inner-ear issue.

Mike Smith will start in net for the Lightning (86.9% to 87%, respectively)..

The Lightning are currently tied for 5th in the NHL on the power play (23.3% conversion rate, sharing the ranking with the Minnesota Wild), and Boston is tied for 13th in the league (16.7% conversion rate, sharing the ranking with the Carolina Hurricanes). The Boston penalty kill remains very potent (with thanks to netminding in part), they’re ranked 5th in the NHL, one-tenth of a percentage point behind the 4th place Lightning

Other Previews

Tampa Bay Lightning official team preview

Lightning Hockey Blog

Bolts 2 Cup

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