Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and best bets
(Photo Credits: Sportsbookwire/USA Today)

By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88

With their backs against the walls, the Boston Bruins knew they would have to bring everything they have if they wanted a fighting chance to move on. Despite the heartbreaking loss, no one can really say the Bruins didn’t go down without a fight. In the final game of their frustrating series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston would come from behind to tie the game, pushing the match-up to two overtimes. In the end, the Lightning came out the victor.

GAME BREAKDOWN

The Boston Bruins started the first period with a better jump than the last two games. Tampa had a few early chances with a missed shot that luckily hit the post. Boston’s defense had their sticks down as they continued to stop Tampa’s offensive rush. A missed opportunity for the B’s came way from the Krejci line. The Lightning tried to answer back as they pushed the puck up the ice, however Jaroslav Halak was there for a timely save. Boston’s Charlie Coyle has a potential one-on-one but was unable to send one in back of the net past Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Tampa would draw the first penalty for a high stick. Zdeno Chara would get the call as both he and Nikita Kucherov fell to the ice (Chara fell while blocking a shot). The Lightning were unable to produce any shots while on the man advantage during the four-minute penalty. The B’s would also draw a penalty as Tampa was called on a hooking call. No score on either side.

END OF FIRST PERIOD: BOS-0, TBL-0

SHOT ON GOAL: BOS-8, TBL-5

With the second period underway, Boston’s Brad Marchand had a potential goal early on. The battle continued down both ends as the Lightning’s Ondrej Palat scored on a tip-in, making it 1-0. The Bruins continued to make some quick maneuvers to throw the puck in the net, but were unable to score. Nikita Kucherov was sent to the penalty box for a tripping call and the Bruins would be on the power-play. After a fake shot by David Krejci leading to a pass to David Pastrnak, the Bruins’s right winger nailed the puck past Vasilevskiy.

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There were a few close calls down the Bruins end, forcing Halak to make some acrobatic saves. Boston continued to hack pucks at Vasilevskiy. Matt Grzelcyk would get called on a two-minute hooking penalty. It would be short-lived as Yanni Gourde was called for a matching hooking penalty. Neither team was able to score on the four-on four nor the power-play.

END OF SECOND: BOS-1, TBL-1

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-15, TBL-8

At the start of third period, Nikita Kucherov continued to sit out for Tampa (he sat out for most of the second period). The B’s first shift showed brief urgency in their play. Karson Kuhlman had a good look but unable to get the puck up over Vasilevskiy. A scary moment involving McAvoy and Cedric Paquette resulted in the defenseman going down to the dressing room. No call was assessed for the hit that send McAvoy into the boards.

Tampa Bay’s Anthony Cirelli would score a deflection shot, making it 2-1. Zdeno Chara found the puck, sending it directly David Krejci. Number 46 would wrist one in tying the game at 2-2. Boston drew a power-play in the last few minutes of the game as it went into overtime.

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END OF REGULATION: BOS-2, TBL-2

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-35, TBL-21

Overtime opened with Boston on a man advantage as they finished off their power-play with four seconds left. The Bruins continued to lay opportunities down Tampa’s end. Feverish play seen on both sides saw Boston’s defense come up with big plays. Krejci sat in the box on a tripping penalty with nine minutes left in overtime. With a little over five minutes on the clock, Charlie Coyle had a missed opportunity that dislodged the net, causing a little scuffle in front of Tampa’s net.

Vasilevskiy was forced to make some difficult saves against Boston. Poke checks were abundant in the last few minutes of overtime.

END OF FIRST OVERTIME: BOS-2, TBL-2

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-11, TBL-7

With the second overtime underway, Halak had his reflexes tested as Tampa swarmed the net. Tempers flared slightly as the Lightning tried to stuff the puck under Halak. There was high intensity play from the Bruins with fourteen minutes left in the overtime. With little signs of fatigue, both teams continued to create scoring chances as both goalies made nerve-inducing saves. Unfortunately, the Lightning’s Victor Hedman would score, thus ending the game. With the win, Tampa Bay will head into the Eastern Conference Final. The Boston Bruins season would officially come to an end in the bubble.

END OF SECOND OVERTIME: BOS-2, TBL-3

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-47, TBL-35

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