BSJ Game Report: Bruins 6, Lightning 2 - Bruins stun Tampa, take Game 1 taken at Amalie Arena (2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs)

(Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs

BSJ Game Report: Bruins 6, Lightning 2 - Bruins stun Tampa, take Game 1

By Anthony Gulizia

Apr 28, 2018 • 6:47 pm

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TAMPA — Everything you need to know about the Bruins’ 6-2 victory in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

Box score

HEADLINES

Top line gets going: Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak combined for 11 points against the Lightning. They found the flow they displayed against the Maple Leafs in the first two games of the first round, when they combined for a stunning 20 points. The Bruins best trio slowed down significantly after that against Toronto, and they’ll need to sustain it against the Lightning this series.

Full effort: Jake DeBrusk’s rapid growth has been evident in the playoffs. He was one of the Bruins' most dependable forwards in the first round, not only for his scoring but because his physical forecheck that made it difficult for opponents. He did it again against the Lightning, when he blocked a shot with his knee and then made another diving stop moments later. That’s the commitment the Bruins like to see, especially from a 21-year-old.

"It's nice when guys put their body on the line and you need that to win," said Tuukka Rask. "Everybody has got to be willing to block shots to get the W."

Special teams success: The Lightning were the second-worst penalty-killing team in the league during the regular season. They allowed 64 goals and the Bruins cashed in early with a power-play goal from Rick Nash in the first period.

TURNING POINT

Blade runner: Tuukka Rask lost a skate blade but he didn’t lose his cool. Well, he did, but only momentarily, after the play had stopped. The play happened with just over six minutes left in the second period and Rask strangely lost his skate blade in the crease. Mikhail Sergachev scored and Rask chucked the blade in frustration. He pleaded his case to the officials, but according to an NHL official, play is only stopped when a goaltender loses his mask. When Rask returned to the crease after a quick repair, he remained solid for the Bruins. Sergachev’s goal cut the Bruins lead to 3-2. Had Rask continued to dwell on the fluky play, it would have been the perfect opportunity for the Lightning to even the score.




THREE UP


Rick Nash: The Bruins veteran forward had just two points in the first round, but netted a pair of goals Saturday. He was physical in front of the net and had a crafty tip-in goal off a shot from David Pastrnak. His second goal was a howitzer from the top of the circle that was shot so hard it appeared to ring off the post and the officials did not stop the play initially.






Tuukka Ras
Don Sweeney


David Pastrnak: It would be hard for Pastrnak to elevate his play considering he dominated the early part of the first-round series against the Maple Leafs. He had five goals and eight assists, plus a hat trick in Game 2. He continued to impress with a beautiful no-look pass to Bergeron, who had an easy look for a goal that gave them a 2-0 lead in the second period.


ONE DOWN


Matt Grzelcyk
Dan Girardi




TOP PLAY


The man they call Pasta knows how to dish it. Fancy no-look set up Bergeron perfectly.




TWO TAKES GULIZIA WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER


Steven Stamkos wasn’t a factor:
The Bruins snuffed out the Lightning’s veteran forward. An injury at the end of the season kept Stamkos out of the final game, and he needed to find his legs in the first round against the Devils. It will be too late before he finds his stride against the Bruins.


The Bruins will falter on the power play:
There was a stretch against the Maple Leafs when the Bruins were 1 for 8 on the power play and it nearly cost them the series. The Lightning are weak on the penalty kill, but the Bruins will get too fancy at times. 


QUOTE OF THE NIGHT


"He's just playing what's in front of him. If it's time to shoot, he'll shoot. Pasta certainly has the ability to make high-end plays. He thinks shot first, but the plays were there to be made."

Bruce Cassidy


UP NEXT


The Bruins and Lightning square off in Game 2 Monday night at 7 p.m. at Amalie Arena.

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