Is Tim Thomas the only player on the ice who actually decides whether the Bruins win or lose?
OK, the question seems preposterous. If it were just Tim Thomas versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, it would be 30-0. Well, maybe 30-1. Thomas, an offensive force with five career assists, could probably score at least once if given the opportunity.
But with the assumption that the 12 forwards and six defensemen are going to play a solid game in front of him, is Thomas the one difference-maker whose performance most affects the outcome?
It certainly seemed that way for much of the year. When he went on that historic stretch early in the season, the Bruins weren't playing spectacular hockey, really. Yet, they kept winning. When the Bruins played great collectively, they won, and when they played so-so, they still won, thanks to Thomas. When Thomas had an off night, however, those wins were harder to come by.
In the nine games that Thomas allowed four or more goals in the regular season, the Bruins went 3-5-1. They were 32-6-8 in the others. That trend has carried over into the playoffs, as the B's are 2-3 when Thomas allowed four or more goals and 9-3 in all other contests.
In the Tampa series, the Bruins are 1-3 when Thomas allows four or more goals. He's averaged two goals against in the three wins and 4.33 goals in the three losses.
On the whole, Thomas has allowed 3.19 goals per game this series, as his numbers drop considerably from both the regular season and early playoff rounds.
| Series | W-L Record | Save Percentage | Goals-Against Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular season | 35-11-9 | .938 | 2.00 |
| Vs. Montreal | 4-3-0 | .926 | 2.25 |
| Vs. Philadelphia | 4-0-0 | .953 | 1.65 |
| Vs. Tampa Bay | 3-3-0 | .905 | 3.19 |
Putting numbers aside for a moment, there is the intangible effect of an unbelievable save. That's what Thomas provided in Game 5, and that's what's largely been credited as the reason the Bruins won.
With the B's scoring four goals in Game 5, three from David Krejci alone, many have said that the Bruins should have won and would have won if Thomas performed up to his standard.
He's been the MVP of the regular season and the postseason for Boston, and if the B's do advance to the Stanley Cup finals, it'll be because of him. Does the team have what it takes, though, to overcome a bad night from Thomas?
Can the Bruins survive an off night from Tim Thomas?online survey
