Final
Bruins host Lightning in Game 7 of East finals
May 27, 2011 - 2:52 PM (Sports Network) - The right to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals will come down to tonight's decisive Game 7 in Boston, as the Bruins host the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden.The Bruins and Lightning have split the first six games of this best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals and the winner of this evening's final meeting will go on to face Vancouver in the Cup Finals. The Canucks, who eliminated San Jose in five games for the West title, will host Boston or Tampa in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday.
Boston grabbed a 3-2 lead in this series on Monday with a 3-1 victory on home ice, but the Lightning evened the set Wednesday in Tampa with a 5-4 decision in Game 6.
Tonight's test marks the first Game 7 in the East finals since Carolina beat the Buffalo Sabres in 2006. This will also be the second time this spring that the Bruins and Lightning have gone to a seventh game. Boston beat Montreal in seven games in the conference quarterfinals and the Lightning came back from a three-games-to-one deficit to eliminate Pittsburgh in the opening round.
Boston is 10-10 all-time in Game 7s, while the Bolts are 3-0 in their history in decisive games.
Martin St. Louis was the hero in Game 6 for the fifth-seeded Lightning, notching two goals, including the winning score midway through the third period.
St. Louis is tied with Boston's David Krejci for the NHL lead with 10 goals this postseason and his 20 points is second only to Henrik Sedin of the Canucks. St. Louis has played in three career Game 7s, but has managed just one assist in those contests.
"We knew it was going to be a long series. This is a good team," said St. Louis after Game 6. "Comes down to one game. Luckily and fortunately, all our team has been through a Game 7. Some of us have played more but we've had that experience. So we know what to expect."
Teddy Purcell also lit the lamp twice for the Lightning on Wednesday. Steven Stamkos recorded a goal and two assists for Tampa Bay, which last won the conference finals in 2004, when it went on to defeat Calgary for the Stanley Cup.
Dwayne Roloson turned aside 16 shots for the victory and the 41-year-old backstop improved his lifetime record in elimination Games to 7-0. Roloson, who benched in favor of Mike Smith in Game 5, is 2-0 in Game 7s.
Krejci had a hat trick for the Bruins, who are trying to reach the Cup Finals for the first time since 1990.
"It's not over," Krejci said. "We're still one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals, and we're not going to quit. That's what we want really bad. That's what we're going to fight for in Game 7."
Tim Thomas made 21 saves in the Game 6 loss and is 1-2 lifetime in Game 7s.
The third-seeded Bruins had an opportunity to end the series Wednesday, up 2-1 after one period, but the Lightning took control thanks to an effective power play. Tampa went 3-for-4 on the man advantage, while the Bruins scored once on five power-play opportunities.
The Lightning won Wednesday's tilt despite playing without forward Sean Bergenheim, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 5. Bergenheim is second to St. Louis and Krejci with nine goals in these playoffs and is questionable for tonight.
The Bruins are in the conference finals for the first time since 1992 and they lost their previous two trips to this stage since their trip to the Cup Finals in 1990. Tampa wound up winning the franchise's only Stanley Cup title in 2004, when it made its only other trip to the conference finals.
- lrbell Bruins have a tall task in Vancouver but I hope they win. An original 6 team that has not been to the big show since 1990
Lightning 0, Bruins 1 FinalMay 28 12:36 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
BOSTON: 1
Final
May 27 10:43 PM - Boston Goal - Nathan Horton (8), from David Krejci at 12:27.
Lightning 0, Bruins 1 3rd - 7:33May 27 10:28 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
BOSTON: 0
End of 2nd
May 27 9:46 PM - Kevin If anyone is earning their keep it is the goalies.... Especially the lightning's one.
Lightning 0, Bruins 0 2nd - 1:04May 27 9:45 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
BOSTON: 0
End of 1st
May 27 8:47 PM - mark The commentators are earning their keep tonight--this game is nuts.
Lightning 0, Bruins 0 1st - 4:17May 27 8:40 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
BOSTON: 0
1st Period - 20:00
May 27 8:12 PM
Related News
- 2024 World Juniors PRIMER: Everything you need to know! Dec 25
- Public Skate: Bruins vs. Wild Dec 23
- Shattenkirk talks finding balance in his game Dec 23
- Preview: Bruins vs. Wild again, this time in Minnesota Dec 23
- Public Skate: Bruins vs. Jets Dec 22
- Preview: Bruins begin Christmas road trip with a visit to Winnipeg Dec 22
- Morning Skate: Missed Dec 20
- Recap: Bruins fall to rallying Wild, 4-3, in OT Dec 20
- Public Skate: Bruins vs. Wild Dec 19
- Affiliate Report: Providence pushes past Pennsylvania foes, Maine on the right track Dec 19
- Preview: Bruins look to capitalize on a tired Wild team tonight Dec 19
- Matthew Poitras joins Canada at the WJC! Dec 18