February 21, 2013; Tampa FL, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Nathan Horton (18) attempts to shoot as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Benoit Pouliot (67) defends during the third period at Tampa Times Forum. The Bruins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins will put their five game win streak on the line on Saturday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bruins (13-2-2) are second in the Northeast division and the Lightning (9-10-1) are third in the Southeast division.
Other then the Chicago Blackhawks, I don’t think there is a hotter team in the NHL then the Bruins. They have won five in a row and eight of their last ten. Throughout their five game winning streak, it surely has been a total team effort. Tuukka Rask has been sensational in between the pipes, they are scoring goals, and playing well on defense.
The Lightning have been struggling in their last couple of games. They have been on the losing end of their last three games. Over the month of February they have a record of 4-10 and will certainly be looking to turn that around as we head into the month of March.
Two of the leagues top scorers will be in action tomorrow night. Steven Stamkos for the Lightning leads the NHL in goals with fourteen and Brad Marchand for the Bruins is only four behind with ten. Everyone in the league knows Stamkos is a pure scorer, but Marchand may have come to surprise to many people. Marchand has proved he is an elite goal scorer and has one of the quickest releases in the league thus far this season.
On Friday, the Bruins held an optional practice. With three games in four days, their legs are bound to get tired and giving the players a chance to rest a bit could help in the long run. Nine of Boston’s players took the ice and the others took part in off-ice video sessions and maintenance. Bruins Coach Claude Julien said, “There’s sometimes when guys will stay off the ice and do what we call a flush bike ride. They’ll get on a bike and peddle just to get the lactic acid out from the build up. We do a little bit of a stretch and that kind of stuff.” Julien also added, “Three games in four nights. It’s important to get those guys a break.” The coaching staff knows that this is a rough part of the schedule and giving the guys a break will be beneficial in the end.
The game time is set for 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time in Boston. You definitely don’t want to miss this one as the Bruins look to continue their win streak and get back to the top of the division.