Congrats Thomas/By S. Bradley
BOSTON — With a perfect 4-for-4 penalty kill and a save from Tim Thomas that left everyone thinking his stick had some magic in it, the Bruins pulled within one win of the Stanley Cup Final tonight.
Despite getting outshot, 34-20, the Bruins got timely goals from Nathan Horton and Brad Marchand to rally from an early deficit and defeat Tampa Bay, 3-1, in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final at the TD Garden.
With a win in Game 6 Wednesday in Tampa, the Bruins can advance to the Final for the first time since 1990.
Here’s a quick glance at the box score:
•The Bruins had to kill off three first-period power plays when they were already behind, 1-0. With the Lightning man-advantage extinguished, the Bruins picked up speed from there.
“I think it kind of actually did the same thing in our favor that it did in their favor last game. We had those two early power plays in the second period [in Game 4] and we didn’t do much. They built momentum off that,” said head coach Claude Julien. “And I know when [Horton] came out after that second one there, he scored a big goal and got us back in the game. So it did build momentum. I think our penalty kill did a great job tonight for us.”
•Thomas made a miraculous stick save on Steve Downie in the third period. More on that later.
•Rich Peverley scored the empty-net goal.
•The Lightning had taken the lead just 69 seconds into the game on a Simon Gagne shot on a 2-on-1.
•Boston bounced back at the faceoff dots with 41 wins and just 30 losses. David Krejci led the way with a 14-for-22 night.
The only thing worse than Pierre (who said Seguin on the radio Seguin should have stayed in juniors) is the non-stop talk about where these guys played in college or juniors. I GET IT ALREADY ST.LOUIS AND THOMAS WENT TO UVM AT THE SAME TIME!
Matt – Any update on Bergenheim? Looked like a groin – and it could be a HUGE injury that could affect the outcome of the series.
MCK – you have it backwards on that Seguin play. Sure – we can debate if that was a dive, but what is most important is there was absolutely NO reason to tap his skates while laying on the ground except to trip him. I mean – what was he thinking – there is absolutely no competitive advantage to tapping that guys skates, and there is huge risk. 99 times out of 100 the ref makes that call. Seguin left the ref no other choice. It was one of the dumbest plays I’ve ever seen in such an important game – and it is a huge reason why Tyler has splinters in his arse.
I know what you’re saying. I’ve just loved his effort and that of the third line. I haven’t seen him give up on a backcheck this spring. If that was Ryder that quit on that Stamkos break there would be inquisitions.
I guess it is the inconsistency that drives me crazy. He is useless for 7 games in a row, then drops 2 goals. I am grateful for his goals and the save against MTL, it is certainly part of the reason why they are where they are. That said, I can’t wait for his contract to expire. I would rather have consistent effort (read: Bergeron) than a guy who disappears for a week.
Yeah, I don’t like Ryder, I will admit that. I am just pointing out that he is no different than Seguin and Seguin sits. If you think either is responsible on defense, then we are watching different people. I don’t see the difference. Now, if you want to play Peverly or Paille more towards the end of a close game, that makes sense. A little consistency is all I am looking for. I am happy that Ryder is finally scoring. I wonder what he could have done if he tried at all the last two seasons during the regular season.
Seguin didn’t trip that guy in the first. That was a terrible call. Epic bad. Seguin would have probably scored if Kelly knew how to run a 2 on 1.
I’d definetely sit a guy who is fifth in points on the team. Especially since he only has 18% of the GWGs. He’s a plus 6 and has more points than Stamkos and his minus 4. For sure he should be sitting. I’m just glad that wasn’t Kabby that fell for no reason on the first goal. Oh the Humanity! Maybe personal feelings are getting in the way of fair judgement.
Ryder is more responsible than Seguin defensively. Yes, He was guilty of too much stick handling this game, but really, are we still criticising this guy for his play? I thought we could have a recess on that for awhile.
Seguin had a great game two, but he’s having trouble now that the defense have learned to pay attention to him. He showed us a flash of what’s to come in the future, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t register another goal for the rest of the post season. And that wont be because he is being benched either. It was the right move to put Peverley up with the third line.
But again, he does have that explosive talent if he’s in the right situation, and yes he will be a great player soon. He might get the chance to put it on display, but it isn’t a coincidence that he registered his four points in the game that was by far the loosest defensively.
Seguin has played on the powerplay and like everybody else, hasn’t done a heck of a lot. That said, I would like to see him out there too.
And yes, please keep putting Chara in front on the PP. I’ve been hoping for this for a long time now.
Don’t have an answer for the Ryder question, other than perhaps you can’t bench both. But Seguin was right where he should have been b/c last night he played like a 19 year old. That penalty he took in the offensive zone while laying prone on his side was as stupid a move as any made this season. After that, he was ‘trying too hard’ to make up for it, and was playing risky. I think Clod made the right move there. Did love seeing TS dump Stamkos in front of his net though. Priceless!
Yeah, Ryder was trying to stick handle through 4-5 guys at times last night. Get. It. Deep. and go bang. That was pretty frustrating.
One other comment…the arena is now being filled with absolute losers for these games. Big to-do last night in my section because people were standing for big moments of the game, like the last 3 minutes and the last power play. A pair of fat cows were screaming for people to sit down. Stand up you dopes. The down in front crowd didn’t exist in the old building and shouldn’t be tolerated.
Versus sucks. It is the downside to winning in the post season.
Anyone have a good explanation for why Seguin hit the pine but Ryder keeps getting playing time? Ryder couldn’t stick handle through cones without getting it poke checked away. I know Seguin has bad shifts, but this whole team had bad shifts all night and the one guy that gets benched is the one guy who can score. Makes no sense. Back to the Julien doghouse for youngblood. Kid should be on the power play. I mean, duh
“…his stick had some magic in it…”
Please refresh yourself on your Comment Guidelines sir…;-p
First period had me in fits, but a good hard fought W.
And really, does Pierre “The Douche Canoe” McGuire really get paid to do what he does?
In the first period: “Hey Edzo, does it look to you like Tampa Bay is a little quicker the Boston right now?”
You’re on the ice buddy! Any moron with half of a brain cell and one functioning eye could have seen that that was clearly the case. I know that you don’t want dead air, but WTF man!?! Beyond that, why feed “Edzo” questions. If it’s not about “active sticks” or “happy humans” he really couldn’t care less. And stop calling him “Coach”. We all know that that experiment didn’t go all that well…
It is about effing time.
I reached for the nitro pill when Claude put Charra in front of the net on that last power play. Lord it’s a miracle ! Claude you man of few words have you been reading the blog. Do it again there was chaos from the lightning when Z stood there you can’t move him with out taking another penalty. Then when it’s five on three claude leave Z in front of the net and set Boychuck up for the big shot. Claude you sneaky devil you tried something.
Here’s what I think:
- How much do you LOVE playoff hockey?!
- Pardon me Mr. Kalman, but was that Seguin showing Stamkos his rightful place? You don’t happen to have a clip of that so I can make sure, do you?
- Carlton Fisk, make room for Timmahhhhhhh… Oh my God – that was without question, the most beautiful save, I’ve ever seen. Name me one better!
Full credit to Thomas — a brilliant game. I was critical of his last game, but he was masterful tonight — again.
Another heart attack game but they got the job done, great passes on the goals and Thomas was awesome. Chara looked good in front of the net on that PP.
Not sure how Downie didn’t get a major for that hit on Boychuck, thought it was automatic with an injury on a boarding call. Guy is an absolute clown. Easily could have had a misconduct in every game this series
MattK, a question about your line of work if I could. Watching the post-game interviews I heard a guy ask everyone the same question : ‘How does it feel to be one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals?’
Does everyone else in the room roll their eyes at that or do I just not understand good reporting?