Final, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins hold on to close out the win and take over second place in the East all by themselves.
The victory pushes Boston's season-best win streak to seven games as they close out the season series with the Lightning with a 3-1-0 record.
The win did come at a cost though, as rookie defenseman Steven Kampfer did not return after taking a big hit from Mattias Ritola in the second period. He will be evaluated on Friday.
The Bruins return to action Saturday when they host Pittsburgh.
Third Period, 19:08, Bruins 2-1: Smith is out of the net for the extra attacker.
Third Period, 16:18, Bruins 2-1: And the Bruins finally take the lead with Milan Lucic scoring on a bad-angle rebound from the left side after a mad scramble in front.
David Krejci and Nathan Horton pick up the assists as Boston's top line continues to pile up the points and come up with clutch goals.
Third Period, 15:04, 1-1: Boychuk continues to throw his weight around, blasting Blair Jones with a huge hit in the corner.
Third Period, 11:46, 1-1: The Bruins fail to convert another power play. They're now 0 for 3 on the night and 1 for 16 in the last six games.
Third Period, 9:46, 1-1: The Bruins have a big power-play chance here as Eric Brewer is sent off for high-sticking.
Third Period, 7:51, 1-1: Johnny Boychuk delivers a textbook hip check to take out former Bruin Nate Thompson along the left boards in the Boston zone.
Third Period, 5:00, 1-1: The Bruins nearly take advantage of a Lightning miscue as Randy Jones falls down in the corner and Bergeron collects the loose puck and sets up Marchand in front, but Smith makes the glove save.
Would have been some poetic justice if Boston scored off that, considering Jones is the player who concussed Bergeron with a hit from behind into the boards back in 2007 while playing for Philadelphia.
Third Period, 3:00, 1-1: The Lightning threaten with Stamkos and St. Louis creating chances in close. St. Louis' shot from the slot is deflected just wide off Thomas' shoulder.
Third Period, 0:00, 1-1: The final frame is under way at the Garden, as two teams even in the standings have played like it so far with a 1-1 tie heading into the third period.
Brick's Keys to the Third: Just checked in with NESN analyst Andy Brickley for his thoughts on what we've seen so far and the keys for the Bruins to pull this one out in the third.
Here's what Brick had to say:
"I think both teams took a quick look at the standings before this one and they both know where they are in the standings. This is a measuring stick game for both tams.
"I thought Boston got much better in the second half of the first period and I like that when they got down they didn't deviate from the game plan. They got more physical and that always brings out the best in their game. But they need to stay more disciplined. Tampa Bay is a team that lives on their power play. I'd like to see Tampa man up a little more. [Steve] Downie, [Pavel] Kubina and [Dominic] Moore all were called out and none wanted to respond. It's frustrating, but the Bruins have to reel it in. This is the last time they'll see this team unless they meet in the playoffs, but they have to decide what is more important, winning the game or settling those personal scores."
End Second Period, 1-1: The clubs traded goals along with punches and face-washes in the second and will head to the third tied at 1-1.
Second Period, 17:23, 1-1: The Bruins kill that penalty off as well, then engage in another nasty scrum in front of the net with McQuaid punishing Dominic Moore for taking an extra whack at Thomas.
Second Period, 15:23, 1-1: The Bruins are shorthanded again as Dennis Seidenberg is called for cross-checking Blair Jones.
Second Period, 14:49, 1-1: It's still nasty out there, as Marchand and Victor Hedman exchange a little stickwork after the whistle, but no penalties come from that encounter.
Second Period, 12:10, 1-1: The Bruins come through with a huge kill on the 5 on 3, and Horton nearly scores on a breakaway out of the box as the sides return to even strength.
Second Period, 10:10, 1-1: Things finally boil over in yet another scrum, with the gloves finally dropped and Lucic and Eric Brewer going at it.
This one was all Lucic, first with rights, then switching to lefts in a one-sided beatdown. But the Bruins get the worst of the penalties, with Nathan Horton getting the initial call for tripping and Lucic an extra two for roughing in addition to the matching fighting majors.
It's a 4 on 3 for seven seconds, then a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:53 for the Lightning.
Second Period, 8:17, 1-1: There are penalties now, as Mattias Ohlund is sent off for roughing after decking Krejci to start another scrum.
Second Period, 7:25, 1-1: Another scrum after Recchi gets shoved into the net brings everyone into the pile, but nothing breaks out and no penalties are called.
Second Period, 6:38, 1-1: Some nastiness now after the scoring. Campbell crashes into the net, which draws the ire of Steve Downie.
Thornton comes in and eventually gets involved with Pavel Kubina. Thornton laid his stick and gloves on the ice to square off, but Kubina wanted nothing to do with it. Downie then came charging back at Thornton, but the linesmen kept them apart. Downie and Thornton each get 10-minute misconducts.
Second Period, 6:06, 1-1: The Bruins answer right back, as Steven Kampfer fires one in from the right point through traffic in front.
New Bruins Kelly and Peverley each pick up assists on the play.
Second Period, 4:04, Lightning 1-0: The Lightning get that all-important first goal, with Eric Brewer firing a shot home from the right point.
After Thornton upended Steve Downie with what was close to a leg-on-leg hit, the puck eventually skipped to Brewer at the right point. He held it as he skated toward the center of the ice before blasting it home. Downie and Blair Jones picked up assists.
Second Period, 2:26, 0-0: Greg Campbell has moved up to the third line between Peverley and Ryder, and created a chance from the right slot. Chris Kelly now centering the fourth line between Thornton and Paille.
Second Period, 0:24, 0-0: Thomas with a big early save as pass off a skate leads to a chance in front by Sean Bergenheim, but the Bruins netminder turns it aside.
Second Period, 0:00, 0-0: The middle frame is under way at the Garden, with the Bruins and Lightning each still looking for the first goal of the night.
First Intermission Notes: A decent start for the Bruins, who haven't shown any sign of a letdown after their long road trip. The Lightning have their legs too though, despite playing Wednesday in New Jersey.
Tampa has a slight 10-8 edge in shots, but both Tim Thomas and Mike Smith have been sharp early in this one. They've also each had some help from the posts, with Steven Stamkos and Milan Lucic each clanging shots off iron.
Both teams failed to convert their first power-play chances, but both teams did look strong on the man-advantage and created several strong scoring chances. That's becoming a familiar refrain for the Bruins, who have had great movement and puck possession on the power play since Tomas Kaberle joined the team, but little in the way of results to show for it. They are now just 1 for 14 on the man-advantage with Kaberle.
End First Period, 0-0: The first 20 minutes end without a goal, but not without plenty of chances as both teams came within inches of opening the scoring.
First Period, 18:58, 0-0: The Bruins come close again, this time with Lucic hitting the post from the high slot off a drop pass by Krejci.
First Period, 15:25, 0-0: The Bruins threaten twice with a Recchi tip in front going off teh post and Marchand nearly putting one home from the right crease, but it remains scoreless.
First Period, 12:47, 0-0: The Bruins can't convert their power-play either despite good scoring chances by both Chara and Horton.
First Period, 10:47, 0-0: Now it's the Bruins' turn on the power play, as Tampa's Adam Hall is sent off for hooking.
First Period, 9:55, 0-0: The Bruins survive that power play, but the Lightning threatened several times around the net and Steven Stamkos clanged the far post with a rocket from the left circle.
First Period, 7:55, 0-0: Milan Lucic is called for cross-checking Mattias Ritola, and the Lightning have the game's first power play.
First Period, 7:31, 0-0: Another bid by the Bruins, with Johnny Boychuk launching a blast from the right point as the trailer on an odd-man rush, but Smith again snares it with the glove. Smith looking a lot strong in this one than his last appearance at the Garden.
First Period, 7:09, 0-0: Brad Marchand bounces off a hit in the high slot and ends up with a backhand bid, but Smith flashes the glove again to keep it scoreless with Recchi parked at the right post looking for a rebound.
First Period, 3:16, 0-0: The Bruins now threaten at the other end, but Bergeron is robbed at the right post on a glove save by Smith.
First Period, 2:50, 0-0: Thomas nearly gets caught out of the net as his clear is intercepted along the right boards by Teddy Purcell, but Thomas is able to scramble back in time for a pad save.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And there's finally hockey action at the Garden again as the first period is under way with the Bruins back home to face the Lightning after a perfect six-game road trip.
7 p.m.: The Bruins will open this one with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi up front, Tomas Kaberle and Adam McQuaid on defense and Tim Thomas in goal.
The Lightning will counter with Sean Bergenheim, Dominic Moore and Adam Hall up front, Eric Brewer and Mattias Ohlund on the blue line and Mike Smith in the net.
Recchi will tie Scott Stevens for sixth place in all-time games played in NHL history with this game, the 1,635th of his storied career.
6:55 p.m.: Tyler Seguin is officially a scratch in ths one, along with Andrew Ference (lower body) on defense.
Vincent Lecavalier (mid-body), Marc-Andre Bergeron (back) and Matt Smaby are the scratches for Tampa Bay.
6:40 p.m.: No sign of Tyler Seguin in warm-ups for the Bruins. Looks like he is the scratch up front.
Daniel Paille skated with Greg Campbell and Shawn Thornton in drills. The other lines remained unchanged with Patrice Bergeron between Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi, David Krejci flanked by Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton and Chris Kelly centering Rich Peverley and Michael Ryder.
On defense, Zdeno Chara was with Johnny Boychuk, Dennis Seidenberg with Steven Kampfer and Tomas Kaberle with the NHL plus/minus leader Adam McQuaid.
6:30 p.m.: Tim Thomas and Mike Smith lead their squads out on the ice for warm-ups. That will be the goaltending matchup in this one as expected.
6 p.m.: The Bruins and Lightning are about an hour away from taking the ice in a key battle for second-place in the Eastern Conference.
Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate for the Bruins, so he's expected to get the start after Tuukka Rask started the last two games of their road trip.
The Lightning didn't hold a skate after playing Wednesday night in New Jersey, but Mike Smith is expected to start in net. he gave up five goals on 22 shots before being pulled in an 8-1 loss to the Bruins in Tampa's last visit to the Garden on Dec. 2.
8 a.m.: The Bruins finally come back to the Garden on Thursday, and return in triumphant fashion after a perfect 6-0-0 road trip.
The Bruins will look to avoid a letdown and build upon that momentum Thursday in a key clash between Eastern Conference division leaders. The Lighting hold a three-point edge over Washington with a game in hand on the Capitals in the Southeast, while the Bruins' win streak has pushed their lead in the Northeast to six points over Montreal. Boston also has a game in hand on the Habs.
But both the Bruins and Lightning are looking at the conference standings as well as the division races. The winner will take sole possession of second place in the conference, as they come in tied with identical 37-19-7 records, good for 81 points through 63 games. How they've gotten there is a little different though. The Bruins have scored 195 goals and allowed just 148, a plus-47 differential. Tampa Bay is dead even, having scored 192 goals and allowed 192.
Head to head the Bruins hold the edge, with two victories in the first three meetings. The Lightning won 3-1 in Tampa on Nov. 22, but the Bruins rolled to a dominating 8-1 win at the Garden on Dec. 2, then squeaked out a 4-3 victory at Tampa on Dec. 28 when Mark Recchi scored a power-play goal at 19:40 of the third.
The Bruins may be a bit weary from their long road trip, but they got Wednesday off to rest, while the Lightning dropped a 2-1 decision to the Devils in New Jersey Wednesday night. It was the third-straight 2-1 game for Tampa, which beat the Devils and Rangers by that count last Friday and Sunday, respectively.
The Lightning have been trying to shore up their defensive play, acquiring goalie Dwayne Roloson from the Islanders in January and defenseman Eric Brewer from St. Louis just before the trade deadline. Tampa already has a potent offense led by forwards Steven Stamkos (41-37-78) and Martin St. Louis (24-51-75), who are second and third in the league in scoring, with Stamkos leading the NHL in goals.
The puck drops at 7 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.

