The Bruins did have chances — such as that power play at the end of the game — but it was either the post or Mike Smith (30 saves) making saves, and the Bruins offense continues to struggle. Yes, Marco Sturm and Marc Savard are showing chemistry, but this team needs a legit sniper to emerge, or it needs to bring one in via trade.
But while offense was a problem, consistent intensity needs to be present, too. The Lightning took it to the Bruins physically from the get-go and the Bruins never matched. Instead, the Bruins were focused on dwelling on the bad calls from the referees and they lost their focus.
Tim Thomas kept his team in it with an amazing 23-save second period and notched 37 saves overall, but the Bruins just seemed discombobulated as the game went on. They will need to regroup fast; this week is far from over, with Atlanta coming to TD Garden on Wednesday before the Winter Classic on Friday against the Flyers.
Third period, 00:31.8, Lightning 2-1: Mark Recchi just got called for slashing and the Bruins' power play is nullified.
Third period, 1:52, Lightning 2-1: Marco Sturm hit the post with three minutes left and the Bruins are simply snake-bitten. But they will have a chance to tie it as Ryan Malone just took an ill-advised holding penalty, and the Bruins are headed on their third power play. They're 0-for-2.
Malone may as well have given this one away if the Bruins can convert. Tim Thomas is pulled for the extra man.
Third period, 4:00, Lightning 2-1: The Bruins killed off another power play, their fourth of five on the evening. They need to feed off that kill now and tie this game.
Third period, 6:30, Lightning 2-1: Blake Wheeler is in the penalty box and the Lightning are on their fifth power play. They're 1-for-4.
Third period, 7:30, Lightning 2-1: Marco Sturm deserves plenty of credit right now. Just as I was saying the Bruins need to avoid blaming the referees for their misfortunes, Sturm channeled his anger into a goal on his next shift after a bad non-call on a scoring attempt on his prior shift.
Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard get the helpers.
Third period, 9:00, Lightning 2-0: The Bruins are most definitely not getting any breaks from the referees, but they need to contain their frustration. The refs aren't to blame for their anemic offense and sloppy play in front of Tim Thomas.
Third period, 11:33, Lightning 2-0: Steve Downie just took a hooking penalty, nullifying the Lightning power play.
Marc Savard is somehow going to the box with Victor Hedman, despite Hedman putting him in a headlock.
Third period, 13:23, Lightning 2-0: Andrew Ference is in the penalty box for boarding and the Bruins' frustration grows.
Third period, 14:43, Lightning 2-0: Poor Blake Wheeler! Wheeler had another good chance and is really hustling out there but just can't find the twine. The rest of the offense, though, could take a cue from his hustle right now.
Third period, 18:00, Lightning 2-0: Big kill for Bruins to start the third period and the Lightning are 1-for-3.
End of second period, Lightning 2-0: Vladimir Sobotka should be benched to start the third period. With all due respect to the Bruins and Andy Brickley, Sobotka needs to know anything close to a hit from behind right now will be called. But he still followed through, albeit not connecting on the hit but showing no discipline and it cost the Bruins a Marty St. Louis power-play goal.
Then Mark Recchi, who is usually more composed, takes an unsportsmanlike penalty and the Bruins will now start the third period shorthanded and down 2-0. A tough mountain to climb after being completely outplayed in the second period. The Bruins are letting frustration take over and that may end up being their biggest enemy. If they can compose themselves in the dressing room, they may be able to capitalize on a tired Lightning squad.
The one bright spot was Tim Thomas, as the Bruins were outshot 23-6 and he kept this game 1-0 until the end of the period there. He made an amazing save on Lecavalier late, but the Sobotka penalty was just too much. The Bruins need a spark of sorts or this could get ugly.
Second period, 4:28, Lightning 1-0: You really can't blame Tim Thomas for the hole the Bruins are in right now. The B's are being out-shot 17-5 this period and still only trail 1-0.
Second period, 6:00, Lightning 1-0: The Bruins are being completely outplayed right now, outshot 14-4 in this period.
Second period, 9:53, Lightning 1-0: David Krejci is in the sin bin for hooking and the Lightning are on their first power play tonight.
Second period, 11:30, Lightning 1-0: Blake Wheeler can't seem to buy a goal right now as he hit the post a few minutes back. Wheeler has gone 12 games without lighting the lamp. To his credit, though, he is generating chances and hustling.
Second period, 15:13, Lightning 1-0: The Lightning still seem to be controlling the tempo here. Maybe Byron Bitz was trying to wake his team up, taking on the league's most frequent fighter but it hasn't worked.
Second period, 17:23, Lightning 1-0: Underway in the second period and did I warn you about Zenon Kenopka? In the words of the ref in Slapshot: "Too much, too soon" for Byron Bitz!
End of first period, Lightning 1-0: Alex Tanguay just scored off a lucky bounce for the Lightning with 1:01 left. Kurtis Foster submitted what seemed like an innocent dump on net but Tim Thomas couldn't control the tough bounce. Vinny Lecavalier scooped up the loose puck and dished it over to a wide-open Tanguay.
A tough way for the period to end. Even after playing on Sunday night, the Bruins controlled the flow of play for the first half of the period, but late in the opening frame, they seemed to tire out and Tampa Bay capitalized. The Lightning got more chances and the Bruins seemed to be on their heels a bit.
The Bruins outshot the Lightning 10-7 but Mike Smith came up with some big saves and the Bolts seemed to feed off it. The Bruins need to come right back out and seize the momentum back. On Sunday night, they played a more physical second period and turned things around. They need to the same now because right now, Tampa is winning the physical battles.
First period, 5:50: The Bruins are controlling the play right now, outshooting the Lightning 8-2 and getting numerous chances on Bolts goalie Mike Smith. But Smith has looked solid so far, making some big stops and keeping the game scoreless.
Smith came over to the Lightning in a huge trade between Dallas and Tampa that sent 2004 Conn Smythe winner Brad Richards to Dallas. Could captain and superstar Vinny Lecavalier be next on his way out of Tampa?
First period, 10:00: Once again, the Bruins have looked better even strength than on the power play, as they failed to convert on their first man-advantage.
Not that most Bruins fans care, but Mike Cammalleri just scored the 20,000 goal in the history of the Montreal Canadiens. That is Cammalleri's 19th lamp-lighter this season and makes me wonder even more why the Bruins didn't pursue him more if they felt like they were going to lose Phil Kessel. There's your winger for Marc Savard.
Also, Bruins fans and the Bruins themselves should be wary of the Habs, as their going for their fifth win in a row and are climbing up the standings.
First period, 13:23: The Bruins are going on their first power play of the night as Ryan Malone is headed to the sin bin for boarding.
Following up on the fighting talk, keep an eye on Lightning enforcer Zenon Konopka, who leads the league with 139 penalty minutes.
First period, 17:08: Underway in the first period and some fierce hitting is going on. As Jack Edwards just pointed out, Shawn Thornton has gone a season-long eight games without a fight. Maybe that changes with this physical start?
7:25 p.m.: Almost set for game time down in Tampa Bay. The Bruins have won four of their last five against the Lightning, and Lightning head coach Rick Tocchet touched on that earlier today.
"It's a team we haven't been doing good against," Tocchet said. "This is a game to get to .500. You have to leave it
all on the ice."
12:53 p.m.: The Bruins (19-11-7, 45 points) will look for their fourth straight win and a sweep of their two-game Florida road trip when they take on the Lightning (14-15-9, 37 points) at St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa Bay. The Bruins beat the Lightning 4-1 at the TD Garden on Dec. 2.
NESN's Naoko Funayama reported from the morning skate that Tim Thomas will once again be in net for the Bruins, getting his fourth straight start. He is 3-0-0 in his last three starts. The lineup looks to be the same as Sunday's, but if there are any changes, you can always check back here on NESN.com for the latest Bruins news.
Forwards
Steve Begin–Marc Savard–Marco Sturm
Daniel Paille–Patrice Bergeron–Mark Recchi
Blake Wheeler–David Krejci–Michael Ryder
Shawn Thornton –Vladimir Sobotka–Byron Bitz
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara–Dennis Wideman
Andrew Ference–Johnny Boychuk
Matt Hunwick–Derek Morris
Goaltenders
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
