I was talking about the 2nd line. If Gagne is healthy he will fill on the 2nd line and maybe Blair Jones gets scratched.
Ah gotcha. Yeah if Boucher wants his 7 dmen setup still it would be another forward being scratched and not a dman. Although Boucher has been very high on Jones since he got into the lineup.
All signs I have read have Gagne being ready for the next round. Kubina on the other hand I fear is probably done for the playoffs regardless of how far we go. Dirty hit from Chimera did him in.
Like I said on the main board, I am not one bit scared of Tampa. They beat a Crosby/Malkin less Penguins team that still took them to 7 games, and beat an overrated Caps team that if the Caps even faced anyone in the first round besides the Rangers they would have lost.
The Penguins were still a very good team minus Crosby and Malkin.
However, I do think the Bruins will lose the first game. I think that 1-3-1 will give them fits in the first game, but they'll figure it out like they did in the regular season,
I'm just happy we are through with Subban and Pronger, two defensemen that always give the Bruins fits. No one on the Tampa defense stands out to me as a dominating player, maybe Hedman will be that player in 2-3 years but no one that can really "shut down" right now. They have a few good defenseman with Brewer and Kubina but I think our depth will prevail so I'm taking the Bruins in 5.
This is going to be a hell of a series, I think the Bruins can win this one but it's not going to be easy. Roloson is a great goalie and he has the ability to get in a groove and it seems he's in one right now. Thomas has been huge for us up to this point and I don't expect anything to change.
The keys will be to stay out of the box, their PP is deadly. I think our forwards will be able to cycle the puck on Tampa's D similar to what we did with Philly.
Your thoughts echo my own. Get outta my head, sir.
I think we hold all the same advantages as we had in the Philly series, except Tampa will show up to play more than half the time.
-I think we're the better, more experienced defensive side.
-our puck possession game in the offensive zone should serve us well.
-tougher in the trenches and anywhere else they wanna have a fight.
-I'm calling the goaltending match-up a wash. Gonna be a showdown I reckon. That Dwayne Roloson, he's so hot right now.
Tampa's showed a different level of defensive competitiveness in the playoffs, but we still hold the physical advantage in all areas imo.
It would be nice if our PP could look half way competent, but like you said: we stay outta the box and we'll be in good shape.
As usual, I think when we make the decision to get off the wall and throw pucks and bodies to the net, then we score plenty. Looking for more of the same in this series. Ugly goals are beautiful.
If they wanna get into a slow meat grinder type of series along the boards with us, then that's cool with me; I think we absolutely roll em in that type of game. They're faster, but not Habs fast, so I think we'll do well to keep em on the perimeter board battles in a sort of low scoring bruiser series.
The best we can hope for is that our guys step up and play their guys really hard, and our best guys neutralize their top 6 and stay out of the box
If they can beat them that quickly, great, more rest for Bergy - but if it goes 6-7 games I think Bergeron will be back by then, giving us a talent and emotional boost.
Time to look at the season series against the Lightning.
TEAM STATS
The Bruins went 3-1-0 against the Lightning this season. Their only loss came back in November with Tuukka Rask in net.
The Bruins outscored the Lightning by a margin of 15-8. Interestingly, the Bruins scored 53% of their goals in the 3rd periods while the Lightning scored 75% (!) of their goals in the 2nd periods.
The Bruins went 3 for 15 (20%) on their Power Plays.
The Lightning went 1 for 13 (8%) on their Power Plays.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
GOALIES
Tim Thomas stopped 95 of 100 shots faced. (.950 Sv%)
Tuukka Rask stopped 33 of 36 shots faced. (.917 Sv%)
Dwanye Roloson did not face the Bruins this season.
Mike Smith stopped 69 of 77 shots faced. (.896 Sv%)
Rich Peverley went 62 for 118. (53%)
Patrice Bergeron went 35 for 69. (51%)
David Krejci went 32 for 68. (47%)
Gregory Campbell went 18 for 38. (47%)
Chris Kelly went 9 for 23. (39%)
LIGHTNING FACEOFFS
Vincent Lecavalier went 15 for 24. (63%)
Adam Hall went 17 for 29. (59%)
Steven Stamkos went 30 for 56. (54%)
Nate Thompson went 16 for 31. (52%)
Dominic Moore went 24 for 47. (51%)
Things that stand out:
Based on the season stats, Patrice Bergeron's absence may be noticed most at the faceoff dot. Tampa dominated the Bruins at the dot this year.
Michael Ryder has impressive stats against the Lightning this season.
Tim Thomas was his "Vezina-self" against the Lightning this season.
If Kubina misses any time this round, it may have a bigger impact than first thought.
Steven Kampfer may be a "wild card" against the Lightning if he gets the chance to play.
Last edited by BruinsFanMike82: 05-07-2011 at 02:10 PM.
Neutralizing their top 6 won't be enough. Their 3rd line of Bergenheim/Moore/Downie has been arguably their best line. They have pretty much an incredibly solid top 9, weak defence and an experienced goalie who's playing very well.
I have a hard time believing the Bruins can win this thing without Bergeron. Time for everyone to buckle down defensively. Stay out of the box and keep things simple.
