David Krejci’s early goal stands up as the winner and Andrew Ference has indeed been credited with the second goal, with Michael Ryder and Chris Kelly getting the assists.
The Bruins will look to extend their series lead with Game 4 here in Tampa on Saturday afternoon.
Third Period, 17:51, Bruins 2-0: The Lightning are starting to pick up the pace and create chances. They have outshot Boston 15-5 so far in the third, but the Bruins have done a good job of clearing the puck in deep to the Tampa end even if they aren’t generating many shots.
Roloson has been pulled for the extra attacker, leaving the Tampa net empty.
Third Period, 15:31, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins are doing a good job of protecting this lead by keeping the puck in the Tampa end for long strengthes, rather than sitting back as they did in Game 2 when Tampa rallied to nearly tie it in the third.
Third Period, 11:49, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins successfully kill off another penalty, and are now back at even strength with Chara back on the ice.
Third Period, 9:49, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins will now have to kill off another penalty as Zdeno Chara is sent to the box for hooking.
Third Period, 8:12, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins add a huge insurance goal to extend the lead to two.
Andrew Ference fired in a one-timer from the left point with Chris Kelly providing the screen in front, and the puck just squirted through Roloson’s pads and dribbled over the line.
Tyler Seguin has been officially credited with the goal, at least for now, with Ference and Ryder getting the assists. It didn’t appear that Seguin tipped it going by though, so that could be changed to a Ference goal.
Third Period, 6:47, Bruins 1-0: Brad Marchand creates a chance with a drive down the left wing and a cut to the middle, but he can’t finish it off.
Third Period, 4:20, Bruins 1-0: A “Let’s Go Bruins” chant is started by the contingent of Boston fans at the St. Pete Times Forum here early in the third period.
Third Period, 2:27, Bruins 1-0: Dangerous shift for the Lightning, as Simon Gagne and Teddy Purcell both had chances in close, but neither could convert as it remains a 1-0 game.
Third Period, 0:00, Bruins 1-0: The final frame is under way here in Tampa, with the Bruins looking to close out the win as they take a slim one-goal lead into the final 20 minutes.
Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins put together another solid period in the second. They outshot Tampa 12-6 for a 20-16 overall advantage and created several good chances, but couldn’t extend their 1-0 lead. They did prevent the Lightning from pulling even though, and will head to the third up by a goal.
Patrice Bergeron has been solid in his first game back, playing 12:31 with two shots, a blocked shot and going 11-5 on faceoffs. David Krejci shook off that hit he took in the first and played a regular shift in the second. He has the only goal of the game on his only shot, to go with a blocked shot and a 9-4 record on draws in 11:47. Overall, the Bruins still lead the faceoff battle 25-19 (57 percent), but they were just 11-15 in the second after a dominant first period in the faceoff circle.
Tyler Seguin is seeing plenty of ice time with 9:49 logged so far, but has been held off the scoresheet. He does have three shots and is 2-1 on faceoffs.
End Second Period, Bruins 1-0: With 40 minutes in the books, the Bruins remain ahead by a goal after a scoreless second frame here in Tampa.
Second Period, 19:18, Bruins 1-0: With the Bruins still carrying the play at even strength, Guy Boucher uses his timeout to try to settle his troops.
Second Period, 18:55, Bruins 1-0: Much better work on the power ply by the Bruins, with Tomas Kaberle making several nice plays to keep the puck in, but despite generating several good chances, the Bruins can’t convert.
Second Period, 16:55, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins go back on the power play as Bergeron draws a hooking call on Eric Brewer by driving to the net looking for a rebound. Nice hustle play by Bergeron to force the issue there and give the Bruins another shot with the man-advantage.
Second Period, 15:15, Bruins 1-0: Thomas tested on a point-blank bid by Dominic Moore at the left post, but the Bruins netminder comes up with another big save to keep it 1-0.
Second Period, 13:09, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins kill off the penalty, and Bergeron nearly sets up a goal right out of the box with a pass in front to Rich Peverley, but Roloson robs Peverley at the right post.
Second Period, 11:09, Bruins 1-0: An ineffective power play ends early for the Bruins as Patrice Bergeron is called for interference as he trips up Adam Hall to prevent a break after a turnover at the blue line. It’ll be 4 on 4 for 32 seconds, then the Lightning go on the power play.
Second Period, 9:41, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins will get another power-play chance as the Lightning are caught with too many men on the ice.
Second Period, 7:58, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins successfully kill that penalty off, and actually have the best scoring chance shorthanded when Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley break in on a 2 on 1. Kelly took the shot from the left wing, but it sailed high.
Second Period, 5:58, Bruins 1-0: The Lightning will get their first power-play chance of the night as Brad Marchand is sent off for high-sticking as he got tangled up in front with Victor Hedman. Marchand went down hard looking for a tripping call, but only Marchand goes to the box.
Second Period, 3:25, Bruins 1-0: A bit of a slow start to the second period, with lots of whistles early for several offsides violations and a couple pucks deflected up into the stands. Krejci has been taking a regular shift and showing no signs of any problems from that hit.
Second Period, 0:00, Bruins 1-0: The middle frame is under way here at the St. Pete Times Forum, with the Bruins looking to build on their one-goal lead from the first.
David Krejci is on the bench for the Bruins after taking that big hit in the first.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins got the start they sought with David Krejci scoring on Boston’s first shot. That held up through 20 minutes as the Bruins lead 1-0 after one, but Krejci was rattled late in the period on a hit by Marc-Andre Bergeron and it remains to be seen if he will return.
Krejci was 6-0 on draws, helping Boston dominate the faceoff battle by a 14-4 count as the Bruins won 78 percent of the draws. Patrice Bergeron, playing his first game of the series after missing the first two games with a concussion, has helped in the faceoff battle as well, going 5-2. He played 6:00 on nine shifts in the first and looked solid.
The Lightning have a slight 10-8 lead in shots, but Tim Thomas has been sharp so far. Tampa also has a 10-5 edge in hits, and the Bruins will need to improve their physical play in this one.
End First Period, Bruins 1-0: After a solid road period, the Bruins take a one-goal lead into the first intermission, but the concern remains how David Krejci will be after the big hit he took late in the period.
First Period, 19:29, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins can’t convert that power-play chance despite a few decent looks in the Lightning zone.
First Period, 17:29, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins take another potentially big hit as David Krejci is laid out with a huge hit at center ice by Marc-Andre Bergeron.
Bergeron gets a two-minute minor for elbowing, while Krejci stayed down on one knee for several minutes to collect himself.
First Period, 15:07, Bruins 1-0: Rich Peverley with a golden chance in front on a loose puck in the slot, but he fires his shot wide.
First Period, 14:05, Bruins 1-0: Tyler Seguin tries to split the defense with a drive down the middle, but gets upended by a hip check by Marc-Andre Bergeron. That came just after Chara dropped Adam Hall down at the other end of the ice when Hall tried to hit the Bruins captain and got the worst of the collision.
First Period, 11:48, Bruins 1-0: The Lightning threaten with a 2 on 1 with Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, but Chara breaks it up by intercepting St. Louis’ crossing pass in the slot.
First Period, 10:21, Bruins 1-0: Things get nasty after the Bruins’ fourth line creates another chance. Daniel Paille fired in a shot from the right wing and Gregory Campbell tried to bang home the rebound, leading to a scrum in front.
Campbell and Simon Gagne traded shots and the gloves came off, but the linesmen were in right away to prevent anything serious to break out. Both get two minutes for roughing, so the teams will skate 4 on 4.
First Period, 9:50, Bruins 1-0: The Lightning have been very aggressive so far in this one, sending two men in deep on the forecheck rather than sitting back in the 1-3-1 and attacking the net whenever possible. They have an 8-3 edge in shots, but Thomas has been sharp early.
First Period, 6:23, Bruins 1-0: Tim Thomas with a series of spectacular saves to keep the Bruins in front as Tampa threatens with a several testing bids in a row, including a spinorama by Vincent Lecavalier from the right slot that Thomas flashed out a pad to block.
First Period, 5:04, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins threaten again as Chris Kelly breaks through the defense for a chance in front that gets turned aside at the last minute.
First Period, 1:09, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins strike first on their first shot on net as David Krejci stakes Boston to a quick lead.
Milan Lucic fed the puck out from the right corner to Krejci at the top of the crease. Krejci was left alone forever in front, finally beating Roloson with a backhand at the left post.
First Period, 0:28, 0-0: Bergeron fires in a shot from the high slot off the side of the net as he looks solid in his first shift.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: Action is under way in Game 3 here at the St. Pete Times Forum as the Bruins, with Patrice Bergeron back in the lineup, take on the Lightning.
8 p.m.: It’s official, Patrice Bergeron is in the lineup and will start the game between Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi. Zdeno Chara and Andrew Ference start on defense as the Bruins open by mixing up their usual pairs. Tim Thomas gets the nod in net.
Shawn Thornton and Shane Hnidy are the scratches, along with the usual collection of Black Aces.
For Tampa, they have gone back to the usual 12 forwards and six defensemen alignment, but Dana Tyrell (foot) remains out despite skating in warm-ups. Blair Jones is the 12th forward, while Randy Jones sits out along with Pavel Kubina (head), Mathieu Roy, Matt Smaby and Mattias Ritola.
The Lightning start Nate Thompson, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis up front, Eric Brewer and Mattias Ohlund on the blue line and Dwayne Roloson in net.
7:45 p.m.: Patrice Bergeron skated with his normal linemates Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi in the drills in warm-ups. Rich Peverley moved down to the fourth line with Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell.
Shawn Thornton was on the ice, but didn’t skate in the line drills, likely indicating he will be the scratch with Bergeron back. Shane Hnidy also skated as usual, but not in the drills.
Here are the full line combinations from warm-ups:
Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Marchand-Bergeron-Recchi
Ryder-Kelly-Seguin
Paille-Campbell-Peverley
Defense pairs:
Chara-Seidenberg
Kaberle-McQuaid
Ference-Boychuk
7:30 p.m.: The Bruins have taken the ice for warm-ups here in Tampa, and Patrice Bergeron is out there with them.
Coach Claude Julien this morning that if Bergeron took the warm-up, then he would play. So it looks like it’s a go for Bergeron’s return in Game 3 after missing the first two games of the series with a concussion.
7 p.m.: It’s getting close to game time here in Tampa, where the Bruins and Lightning will face off in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final in just about an hour.
In about a half hour, the teams will take the ice here for warm-ups at the St. Pete Times Forum, and then we’ll know for sure whether or not Patrice Bergeron will return to the lineup for Boston.
Bergeron has missed the first two games of the series with a concussion, but has been skating with the team for several days and participated in the morning skate this morning. Claude Julien said after the skate that if Bergeron takes the ice for the pre-game warm-up, then that means he will have received medical clearance and will play in this one.
8 a.m.: The Bruins accomplished what they needed to in Game 2 on Tuesday, even if the performance wasn’t exactly perfect.
Boston evened the Eastern Conference final against Tampa Bay with a 6-5 win after dropping the opener 5-2 on Saturday. Tuesday’s win was a little too wide open and sloppy for either team’s liking, but the Bruins were pleased with the final result as they head to Tampa for Game 3 on Thursday.
“When two teams start the series and they are two of the best defensive teams in the playoffs and then you see a game like this, I don’t think anybody’s happy,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “We want to score goals, there’s no doubt there. But the way we’ve been giving up goals is not something that we’re proud of right now. And we need to be better in regards to that.”
The Bruins did have to like what they saw from rookie Tyler Seguin. Playing in just his second playoff game, Seguin collected four points on two goals and two assists, and now has 3-3-6 totals in two games.
It’s safe to say that he’ll be sticking in the lineup, but the Bruins could have to make a change if Patrice Bergeron is able to return on Thursday. His status remains uncertain after missing the first two games with a concussion. Bergeron has resumed skating with the club, but hasn’t been cleared for game action yet.
Julien will have a tough choice to make on who to sit whenever Bergeron finally returns, but if it means getting Bergeron back in the lineup, that’s a dilemma the Bruins coach will enjoy having.
Julien would also enjoy seeing his club’s power play continue to make strides after breaking through with two goals on six chances in Game 2. It was the first time since March 27 that the Bruins scored more than one power-play goal in a game, as they came into Game 2 just 2-for-41 on the man-advantage.
Even with some signs of life from the power play, the Bruins don’t want to get into a special-teams battle with the Lightning. Tampa has one of the most dangerous power plays in the league, while Boston has been dominant most of the postseason at even strength. So staying out of the box will vital to the Bruins.
Boston lost the home-ice advantage with its defeat in Game 1 and will need to win at least one game in Tampa to pull out this series and reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990. But the Bruins were actually a better road team than a home team in the regular season, and have continued that success away from the Garden in the playoffs with a 4-1 record on the road.
They’ll look to continue that strong road play in Game 3 as they try to take a lead in the series for the first time.
The puck drops at 8 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action from Tampa.
