Bruins-Lightning: Boston Puts Bolt in Lightning for 10th Straight Win

The Bruins came out in the first and picked up right where they left off in Florida, scoring three quick goals by Lucic, Kessel, and Ryder. 

Puck control and good game planning helped for the fast start, which Coach Julien has been preaching to his team night in and night out.

Tim Thomas started the game tonight and made 13 saves in the first period.

In the second, the Bruins got a little sloppy and gave the Lightning nine chances. PJ Axelsson broke down the middle and was taken down to enter the most exciting play in sports, a penalty shot.  Axelsson came down very wide and beat Lightning goalie Mike Smith short side only to have Smith reach way out to keep the puck out of the crease. 

Just after the penalty shot, the Bruins went on a five on three power play when David Krejci, who has great vision, found Zedeno Chara at the point for a bomb of a shot that went top shelf.

In the third, Tampa Bay came out and the Lightnings' top line of Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier were all over the ice.  St. Louis scored on a Lecavalier shot that beat his former teammate at the University of Vermont, Tim Thomas.  10 minutes later, the Lightnings' Szczechura scored to make it 4-3. 

The Lightning decided to pull their goalie with 33 seconds left in hopes of being able to tie the game, but PJ Axelsson scored on an open net for his first goal of the season and to solidify the win for the Bruins.

Game notes:  The Boston Bruins (19-4-4, 42 points), have won 10 straight games at the Garden.  Tim Thomas made 26 saves.  The Bruins were very lazy the last 10 minutes of the game, giving Coach Julien enough to keep the players on their toes in practice tomorrow as well as a reminder that you have to play a full 60 minutes.

The Bruins play again this Wednesday when they head to Washington to play Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.