Boston Bruins Game 2: Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 28: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning gives up a goal against David Pastrnak #88 and Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins during Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 28, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/NHLI via Getty Images)"n
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 28: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning gives up a goal against David Pastrnak #88 and Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins during Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 28, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/NHLI via Getty Images)"n

Like a few, dare I say many Bruins fans, I did not expect Boston to win yet alone so emphatically on Saturday night down at Amalie Arena.

Top-Line Triumph

If the Boston Bruins can get the top-line clicking as well as they did in Game One then it’s hard to look past them again. Every time they stepped onto the ice, the best line in the NHL looked like tearing apart the Lightning.

Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak combined for 11 points in Game One on eight shots collectively.   Both Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos were left pointless, a welcome sight for the Bruins faithful. However, a sight that surely cannot continue if the Lightning are to have a prayer in this series.

Tuukka Rask

Boy did Tuukka take some abuse in the first-round. Those critics were swiftly silenced after Game One in Florida. Saving 34 of the 36 shots he faced a tasty .944SV%. The faultless Andrei Vasilevskiy fell to a dire .783SV% saving just 18 of the 23 thrown his way. An off-night for sure and I’d expect something over .920 tonight if the Lightning are to resist the Bruins onslaught.

Lineup Gentleman!

Brad MarchandPatrice BergeronDavid Pastrnak

Jake DeBrusk – David KrejciRick Nash

Danton HeinenRiley NashDavid Backes

Tim SchallerSean KuralyNoel Acciari

Zdeno CharaCharlie McAvoy

Torey KrugKevan Miller

Matt GrzelcykAdam McQuaid

Tuukka Rask

Predictions

Well, I predicted a 6-4 win for the Lightning in the opening duel but was more than delighted to see that turned on its’ head. Thus, leaving me in the difficult position of backing the Lightning again in the name of superstition.

Next: Bruins Brutal Beatdown Of The Bolts By The Bay

That aside I do expect a massive response from Tampa, although it won’t be enough. The Bruins top-line will continue to cause nightmares in the Sunshine State.

The Boston Bruins sneak it 4-3 in OT.