Questions arising regarding the Bruins-Lightning series of the Eastern Conference Finals Play-offs (Part 1)
The Eastern Conference Finals has witnessed a great deal of variation, one team won a game then the other won the second and likewise the winner of the first game won the third. However, the fourth game of the series was very unpredictable as Boston Bruins lost after successfully getting into a 3-0 lead and the same pattern of wins continued with the series levelled after the fourth game.
Unfortunately for Bruins, Lightning exhibited a remarkable performance, making a splendid comeback to win the game 5-3 and levelling the series at 2-2.
Similar pattern continued as Boston won Game 5 to once again get into a series lead at 3-2. Patrice Bergeron played extraordinarily for Bruins during the fourth game, scoring twice in the opening period to put Bruins ahead, while Tim Thomas guided Bruins to the fifth game win with an amazing saves percentage of 0.971.
In this article we will attempt to predict the future of the series.
Bergeron’s performances have certainly made him a strong candidate to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. On the other hand, Lightning was depending on players like Sean Bergenheim, who performed brilliantly and was aided by some decent performances from Ryan Malone, Simon Gagne and Teddy Purcell, all scoring goals and displaying excellent play-making.
The fifth game of the series that took place at TD Garden began with Lightning scoring the first goal to get into the lead and retaining a clean-sheet, thus, ending the first period with a 1-0 advantage.
However, Bruins restricted Lightning to that sole goal due to brilliant goal keeping by Tim Thomas, ending the night with 33 saves. Bruins not only made a comeback, but won the game 3-1, relatively with ease.
However, still there are some deficiencies in both teams. Bruins tend to lose their cool and start committing too many fouls, at times, and they haven’t been able to come up with the expected level of performances from their forward line.
Lightning, on the other hand, is heavily dependent on its goalkeeper, Dwayne Roloson, with regard to its defence. Roloson has done quite well so far in the play-offs but Lightning would need him to do even better if they want to come out as a strong candidate for the Stanley Cup.
We will be raising some key questions in this article related to both teams, regarding what they need to do to win.
With the next game between the two sides scheduled to be played on Wednesday, May 25th, there is time for both teams to improve in their race for the Conference title and a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals.
(Continued in part 2). . . . . . .
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