Boston Bruins: Top three ways to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning
By jc
Stay out of the penalty box
A team with the likes of Stamkos, Kucherov, and Point is bound to have a great power play. That’s certainly the case with the Lightning.
So far, the Lightning power play has five goals in 16 chances: an 31.25% success rate. This is tied with the Bruins for fourth-best in the league.
Stamkos leads the way with two power play goals. Kucherov has one goal and one assist on the power play.
The Lighting usually roll with Point, Kucherov, and newcomer Pat Maroon on the first unit. Point and Kucherov move the puck to set up plays, while Maroon wreaks havoc out front.
Hedman stays at the top on the offensive zone, and Stamkos hangs in his customary shooting position.
Stamkos is the key to it all on the power play, so he’s the player on whom Boston must focus. He occupies the role that Bruins fans see with David Pastrnak. He lines up high in the zone to the right of the goalie, and he readies himself for one-timers.
The Bruins penalty killers need to be weary of Stamkos in this this position. They must clog up passing lanes and limit Stamkos’s space whenever necessary. If not, Stamkos is a threat to score, regardless of who stands in net.
The best thing for the Bruins to do, however, is to stay out of the penalty box entirely. That’s the only way to ensure that the Lightning power play won’t strike.