| 24 May 2011
It wasn't pretty, it wasn't their best game, but it got the job done. While Tampa came out against what Julien would describe as a tight Bruins team with speed and attack, the Black and Gold were able to weather a storm and, as good teams do, found a way to win.
The 3rd period was a flutter- chances both ways but with a majority of the pressure coming from Tampa in their attempt to tie up the game. For most, the action was hectic and nerve wracking. For Thomas though, it was just another game and one where his teammates made plays that kept Tampa from gaining too much momentum and allowed him to just play his game.
After the game Boucher was filled with praise for Thomas, albeit with hopes of different outcomes in the future. In his eyes, Thomas did tonight what he's been doing all year- to be surprised by it is to have not paid enough attention to his performances. To Boucher and the Lightning, Thomas is an enigma- and one they hope to solve in game 6 if they hope to extend the delay of their tee times. If it takes 50, 60 shots to get enough by him in game 6 well then that's what they'll look to do. Don't expect the Bruins to give up those opportunities easily.
In Claude Julien's mind, game 6 will be one where the boys will come out on their toes and attack Tampa, attempting to put them on their heels and have them play the tightened game that the Bruins exhibited in the first. The Bruins are out looking for the kill after this one and with 2 strong showings in prior series, this looks like a team that knows where to stick the dagger.
Game 5 though was a game where the lack of scoring by Tampa early on seemed to help the Bruins swing the momentum in the 2nd. After 2 successful penalty kills, a sorry Nathan Horton hit the ice to redeem himself and that he did, taking a Lucic pass in the slot for a one timer past Smith. The play was followed a few minutes later by a second Bruins goal- this time to frustrated Marchand would find a pass at the far post from Patrice Bergeron, his first of this series. From then on the Bruins were in the game and looking to get themselves up in the series.
In the 3rd the Bruins were able to do what they weren't able to in game 4- they were able to keep up their intensity and play a back and forth game with Tampa so that the momentum could never completely shift. Tampa looked to find weak spots in the Bruins armor- particularly by inserting Stamkos, Vinny and St Louis on the 3rd line to match with Seguin but Julien was ready for it and looked to the team's deadline acquisition, Rich Peverley. All 3 lines were able to find success in shutting down Tampa and in the end, it would be Peverley pushing play down ice for the empty netter and the 3-2 series lead.
With game 6 coming on Wednesday night, the team is focused and aimed to finish things off. They'll take tomorrow off and travel to Florida and begin preparing for what could be Tampa's last game of the year- a game that will exhibit a Tampa team with their backs to the wall and ready to do whatever they need to to win. Expect both teams to come out hard early- to crash the net hard, to fight hard for pucks and to play a game as close to perfection as possible.
For Tampa, the key will be to attack early, to force Boston to have to play from behind and from there, capitalize on any mistakes Boston can make. If they go behind early they know it'll be an up hill battle against a team that is strong defensively and that has Thomas in net. If that is the case though, they'll do exactly what needs to be done- crash the net and make life crazy for Thomas- then pray.
For Boston, expect the team to come out looking to play physical, force turnovers, and turn the play around quickly so that Tampa cannot setup in the neutral zone. When the Bruins can attack 2 v 2 at the blue line, there isn't much Tampa can do. And when they gain the zone, they have the ability to control possession and therefore play. At the end of the day though, Boston needs to be quicker and sharper in order to execute such a game as any mistake they make can lead to a Tampa goal.
And for both teams, look for the best players to be their best. The Lucic-Krejci-Horton line will need to be big. Bergeron's line will come out strong and 37 will likely be the best player on the ice again. Thomas, Seidenberg, Thomas- all of them will be needed to perform in order to push this team to the Cup Finals. St Louis, Lecavalier and Stamkos though won't be quick to go away. So grab some popcorn because in less than 48 hours we're going to see one hell of a dog fight.
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