Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Streak Extended To 7th Heaven

Just a couple of months ago, if you told me that the Boston Bruins were going to have second place in the Eastern Conference and win seven games in a row, I would reply "Yeah, wouldn't that be nice?"

Two months have past and, as a Bruins fan, it is nice. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. There are still 18 games left to play and not that much space in the standings. At the current rate, the Bruins will finish no worst than third if they hold the Northeast Division lead.

The Bruins were home for the first time after a lengthy six game road trip which helped propel them in the standings. They went into the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a tie for second place (technically, they had second place by virtue of the goal differential).

This game was the final of a the four game season series and the Bruins won two of the last three. This game decided the current standings in the East.

The home game will be the first for the new Bruins as Tomas Kaberle, Rich Peverley and Chris Kelly get to wear their Black and Gold home jerseys for the first time. They were wearing their alternate home jersey.

The Game

First Period

No scoring in this period. Both Goalies made some great saves and Tim Thomas had a touch of luck with a shot off the post and he was able to quickly recover the puck.

The Bruins are finding their toughness as well of late.

In the first period, Milan Lucic leveled Dana Tyrell along the boards. Earlier he got a penalty for cross checking, but it is showing the fire is returning along with his scoring.

Second Period

Early in the frame, Eric Brewer got the puck from Blair Jones and ripped one from the slot. The puck was initially going off net but it deflected of Steven Kampfer who was back on from the play as he was trying to get into position. 1-0 Bolts.

Two minutes and two seconds later, Kampfer redeems himself with a pass along the boards from Peverely. Kampfer skated in the high slot and let one fly and the puck found the back of the net. All knotted up at one apiece.

Third Period

The toughness was ever present in Johnny Boychuk as he leveled Nate Thompson and Jones behind the Bruins goal line helping the Bs defensively.

The winning goal was an ugly one.

With the Bruins swarming the Bolts' net, the Bolts were collapsing after Lucic shot at the net. Nathan Horton and David Krejci were in the mix which caused the Bolts to collapse even deeper. A little too deep.

While trying to clear the Bs from the net, they in turn fell all over each other and effectively kept Bolts' net minder, Mike Smith out of the play. With four of the five Bolts players in the crease, Lucic ended up with the puck as he was outside of the foray. He got the cleared puck from Smith's right side and lifted it up to count and give the Bruins the lead for the first time of the game and with just 3:42 left of the game.  

2-1 Bruins. I called that one a gift.

The game winning goal was Lucic's seventh of the season.

The Bruins currently hold sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference.

In their first game at the Garden, Peverley and Kelly earned an assist in the same goal.

The Good

Again, the Bruins were using their size and speed to their advantage against a team that uses speed and skill. Using their size and positioning didn't give them too much to work with.

With what they could work with, Thomas had just about all the answers to help secure the win.

Smith played very well and he was the reason that the Bolts were close in the game after some spectacular saves.

The Bad

Not too much bad, but Kampfer should have kept his back to the boards, not the play. I can't blame him for the deflection as he didn't see the puck coming, but I can say that this is most likely a lesson learned.

The Ugly

The Game winning goal. Good for the Bruins, Bad for the Lighting, still an ugly goal.

The shameless attempt to get a penalty in Sean Bergenheim. He was barely shoved when he went down in a heap and stayed down. Refs were not biting.

My Take

To see seven straight as a Bs fan is a great thing. This is not the time for complacency. It seems that the Bruins are increasing their aggressiveness and intensity rather than settling it down. The new additions are really helping both the D and the O and I see good things happening this year.

Will it be enough? Barring injuries and mental flops, only time will tell.

This is Cory Ducey saying "Hit Hard, But Keep It Clean"