Bruins and Bolts Square off in Beantown
For Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins there’s no time for looking back. Last night’s 3-0 shutout over the Philadelphia Flyers included a penalty shot stop on Scott Hartnell and a pinch of retribution from last year’s game 7 playoff loss. But tonight the B’s turn right around and face a hungry bunch against Tampa Bay. Heading into tonight’s game Thomas is the league leader with a mind boggling .955 save percentage, and 5 shutouts. The B’s have a +16 goal differential on the season, including a league low 46 goals against. Big defenseman Zdeno Chara has certainly helped out on the doorstep, but Thomas’ unorthodox style and catlike reflexes have kept shooters off balance. Should Thomas get the start tonight at the TD Garden he’ll be up against a potent Lightning team coming off a 4-3 OT win against Toronto on Tuesday. Simon Gagne, back in the lineup after missing 18 games, scored the OT winner. The win puts TB 6-1-1 in their last eight games, trailing the Capitals by 7 points in the Southeast Division. Steven Stamkos has people whispering about a possible chance at 50 goals in 50 games which can be distracting, while Martin St. Louis continues his consistent offensive output with 31 points through 25 games.
There are questions though that TB must address if they are going to make a serious run at the cup. First, the goaltending is going to have to improve. Dan Ellis and Mike Smith have split time evenly and at some point Coach Guy Boucher will probably designate a number one starter. Centerman Vincent Lecavalier will have to get back to his old offensive form as well. Lecavalier is currently out of the lineup with a hand injury. The Bruins showed some offensive spark against the Flyers and they’re going to have to do the same tonight against TB. The power play is going to have to produce. Last night the power play was effective including zone entry which has been a problem. It’s hard to believe it’s been 7 years since TB won the cup in ’04. This team still has the nucleus to repeat and tonight is the first game of the rest of the season. Both teams are looking to build momentum from big victories. There’s no looking back tonight in Boston.
By: Jimmy Pike > Find all of the NHL news & articles online from Pro Hockey Fans. |
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