Game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals – weighing Tampa Bay Lightning against Boston Bruins (Part 3)
Goalkeeping is the next point we will be discussing in this last part of the article.
Roloson was among the best goalkeepers in the National Hockey League with regard to goalies’ performances in the first two rounds. Undoubtedly, he was one of the main reasons why Lightning was able to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series against
Pittsburgh Penguins.
Lightning’s next series was against Washington Capitals who had won the Eastern Conference. Lightning showed no fear against them and was even better then Capitals.
Lightning, with the talent and skill that it possesses, was able to win the series against Capitals in four straight games. Once again it was Roloson who was able to come up with some splendid performances, leading the team to win each game of the series.
However, this series hasn’t been on the same roads for the star goalkeeper. The fans and the team had great expectations from him but he hasn’t been able to show the same form and skill in goal that he had in the earlier part of the postseason.
There have been two times that he was pulled out of the game and watched the fifth game from the bench. Nevertheless, he came up with a brilliant response to silence his critics with a decent performance in the sixth game.
This has forced the seventh game and a win for either of the team would put them into the Stanley Cup Finals.
Bruins, on the other hand, has done quite well in the series with regard to their goalkeeping. Tim Thomas has conceded more than expected goals in the series but still he is said to be the best goalkeeper during the play-offs.
He has made brilliant saves in the series and one of his saves, which he made with his stick, is also said to be the best save of the year.
One of the main reasons as to why the Bruins are in the running after a weak performance in the first round against the Montreal Canadiens is due to Thomas’s performance.
Bruins are definitely high on confidence and with the talent that they possess in goal they are again considered the stronger of the two teams.
The game is going to be very tight and entertaining and whichever team performs the best will be rewarded with a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals against Vancouver Canucks.
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