5th seeded Tampa Bay Lightning (+115) vs. 3rd seeded Boston Bruins (-135)
The NHL playoffs have been nothing short of spectacular so far, as expected. Game in and game out these guys are sacrificing their bodies to potentially be a part of something special. The field is narrowing down and there are only two teams left in each conference. The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are the last teams standing in the East.
These teams have taken identical paths to the Eastern Conference Finals as far as the playoffs go. Boston defeated Montreal in 7 games in the first round while Tampa took out Pittsburgh in 7. The first round proved to be a much greater challenge to both teams than the 2nd round as both teams swept in convincing fashion. The Bruins put on an absolute clinic, outscoring the 2nd seeded Flyers 20-7 in 4 games. The Lightning had a bit of a tougher series as far as sweeps go, winning 2 games by a single goal and 2 games by 2 goals. Both teams are certainly well rested which is an enormous relief after their grueling first round matchups.
The backbone of both teams has without a doubt come from between the pipes. Vezina Trophy candidate Tim Thomas set records during the regular season and hasn’t let up a bit during the postseason, posting a 2.03 GAA and .937 save percentage. The only goalie with a better GAA (and the only older goalie) is Tampa’s Dwayne Roloson. Roloson has posted a 2.01 GAA and .941 save percentage. It should be mentioned that Roloson had shaky times and actually had a losing record during the regular season. However if he keeps this postseason run up it is safe to say that goals will be tough to come by in this one.
Boston has relied on their depth all season long and will need that to continue. With their leading scorer and one of the NHL’s best all around players Patrice Bergeron sidelined for at least the first couple of games with a concussion, rookie Tyler Seguin will be called upon for some quality minutes. Having the number 2 overall pick being a replacement player for injury isn’t the worst problem in the world to have, but it is a huge drop off nonetheless. The Bruins will slide Center Chris Kelly up to the 2nd line to replace Bergeron and Seguin will play on the 3rd line with Rich Peverley and Michael Ryder. All three lines have been major contributors during the postseason so we will see if this shake up will have any effect on the team’s play.
The true edge that Tampa Bay has in this matchup is their special teams which are the best out of any of the teams that are left. Tampa’s PP comes in at 26.7% while Boston’s is a laughable 5.7%. The Lightning’s PK is also superior at 94.4% with the Bruins at 80.5%. Steven Stamkos, Vincent Lecavelier and Martin St. Louis are all proven scorers who can hurt you at any given time. The Bruins penalty kill will have their hands full especially without Bergeron who was a top penalty killer. As evenly matched at these two teams are, if Boston doesn’t pick up their PP and control Tampa’s PP, it very well may be a quick series.
Lightning are 6-0 in their last 6 games as an underdog.
Lightning are 2-7 in their last 9 against the Northeast Division.
Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 as a home favorite.
Bruins are 6-1 in their last 7 playing on 3 days or more rest.