Boston Bruins 2nd-Round Preview Vs. The Tampa Bay Lightening

By Jordan Long

The Boston Bruins survived the 1^st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 7 games in the series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The score in game 7 was 7 to 4. The difference was the 3^rd period where the Bruins lit the lamp 4 times. They move on to the 2^nd– round to take on the Tampa Bay Lightening. The series starts tomorrow in Tampa Bay.

The Boston Bruins were lucky to knock off Toronto. They were leading the series 3-1 and let Toronto win the next 2 to force a game 7. Boston is looking to make a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2013 when they went to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Bruins and the Lightening squared off 4 times this year. The Bruins skated off with a 3-1 record in the regular season. Tampa Bay avoided a season sweep by beating the Bruins on April 3^rd, 4-0.

The Bruins in this series must keep the offense going. Against Toronto, they averaged 4.00 goals per game. They have the offensive power to do so. Tampa Bay will try to shut them down by poke checking them so they can’t set up in the offensive zone. In their defensive zone, Tampa Bay uses their forecheck. It won’t allow the Bruins to move the puck up the ice easily.

Defensively the Bruins need to limit the offensive attack of the Tampa Bay Lightening. Tamp Bay scored 3.60 goals per game against the New Jersey Devils. Tampa Bay has a dangerous offense in Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, Chris Kunitz, and Nikita Kucherov. The Bruins need to check them and block shots. If they miss a check, that is a scoring opportunity for the Lighting.

Special Teams should determine this series. Boston couldn’t stop the Maple Leafs power play. It seemed every time the Bruins took a penalty, the Maple Leafs scored. Boston killed off 73.3% of their penalties. Tampa Bay is too skilled with the power play and if Boston takes a penalty they can score on it. Boston must stay out of the box.

For Boston keep the power play up. They have been impressive scoring on 31.8% of their chances on the power play in the playoffs. Boston knows if they have the man advantage, they will have chances and should score.

Boston won’t have the home ice and if there is a game 7, it is in Tampa Bay. Game 1 is tomorrow at 3 PM EDT from Tampa Bay. This could be a tough series but the Bruins need win at least 1 of the next 2 games to have any chance to move on in this series.