BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Lightning 2 - Pastrnak’s hat trick lifts Boston in statement win over Tampa

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 3-2 win over the Lightning, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES 

Hampus Lindholm impresses

The Bruins already boasted a pretty stout defense ahead of the trade deadline, but it didn’t take very long for Hampus Lindholm to showcase how his talents present a major upgrade on one of the strengths of this hockey club.

Of course, Lindholm’s baseline stats were impressive in his Bruins debut (23:26 TOI, one assist), but the B’s deadline acquisition left his fingerprints all over Thursday's 3-2 win over Tampa in a variety of other ways.

Be it his steady D-zone retrievals, crisp first passes and willingness to fire in pucks from deep (three shots on goal), Lindholm allowed Boston to limit the amount of time spent in its own end against a lethal Tampa forward corps — and generate a healthy amount of looks down the other end of the ice.

It’s just one game, but Lindholm already looks like a difference-maker on an already effective defense for Boston. 

This style of game can go far

It might not have been a perfect game for Boston, especially when it comes to its woes on the power play (0-for-5) and a lack of finishing other chances at even-strength play.

Still, even with some tweaks likely needed up front (and the return of Patrice Bergeron standing as an obvious boost), this type of game should give B’s fans some hope that this team can go on a deep run this spring. 

Because when Boston is locked in defensively, they can grind even the deadliest of teams to a halt — as seen in this matchup against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. 

With Lindholm adding even more heft, D-zone fortitude and transition talent to this blue-line corps, the Bruins didn’t give the Bolts much in this one, with Tampa Bay limited to just four high-danger scoring chances in 5v5 play — a lopsided figure compared to Boston’s 11 high-danger chances. 

Boston — which leapfrogged the Lightning in the Atlantic Division standings and now sits in third place (which would set up a first-round bout with Toronto) — still faces an uphill climb regardless of the path it must take in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But if this D corps stands tall and Jeremy Swayman (22 saves on 24) remains steady between the pipes, those pillars alone should make Boston a very, very tough out in the next few months.  

THREE UP

Hampus Lindholm: In total, during the 12:37 of 5v5 ice time that Boston’s top pairing of Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy logged, the Bruins held a 21-9 edge in shot attempts and outscored Tampa, 2-0. A pretty solid debut, I’d say. 

Penalty kill: Boston’s man advantage was dreadful all evening, but the B’s shorthanded unit was at least doing its part down the other end of the ice against a loaded Bolts power play. In Tampa’s 4:47 of power-play reps on Thursday, the Lightning only landed one shot on goal. Some solid PK work from guys like Derek Forbort in this one. 

Second Line: You could very well make the argument that Pastrnak deserves a spot in the “meh” tier for tonight, as he was knocked for a couple of errant passes and gaffes on the power play. But when you score a hat trick and provide all of the offense for your club in a statement win, I think we can overlook those shortcomings. 

Pastrnak will draw most of the headlines, but Erik Haula also had one of his finest games as a Bruin, setting up all three of Pastrnak’s tallies with some nifty feeds. His keep-in right at the offensive blue line helped set up his linemate’s game-winner with 4:10 left in regulation.

TWO DOWN

Power play: The Bruins might have been able to run Tampa out of the building tonight had they managed to execute on the power play. Yes, the B’s certainly miss Bergeron at the bumper spot, but the O-zone execution on Thursday was lacking all around, even leading to a shorthanded Tampa tally from Brandon Hagel (who sure seems poised to be a Bruins killer for a long time.)

Fourth Line: After a solid start in which they were able to finish some hit and disrupt Tampa’s big guns, this checking unit started to run out of gas — with Steven Stamkos giving the Lightning a 2-1 lead in the third off of this D-zone breakdown. 

PLAY OF THE GAME

LOOSE PUCKS

It looks like Jeremy Swayman and Corey Perry will not be exchanging Christmas cards this year. 

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will continue their five-game homestand on Saturday with a matinee game against the Islanders. Puck drop is set for 12:30 p.m.