Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 5 -- For all the talk of goaltending in this series, both Tim Thomas and Dwayne Roloson were helpless to slow the surge of goals as the two teams combined for 11 goals -- the most scored in a regulation playoff game this postseason. The Bruins scored two power play goals (doubling their playoff output to this point) and Michael Ryder scored twice in the last four minutes of the second period to push the Bruins advantage to 6-3. But the game is never out of reach with that vaunted Lightning offense, as Steven Stamkos and Dominic Moore both scored in the third period to cut the Boston advantage to a single goal. With the game (and likely series) on the line, Thomas stood tall and stopped the Tampa Bay attack when it counted.
Tampa Bay received goals from five different scorers, led by captain Vincent Lecavalier's goal and two assists. Michael Ryder and rookie Tyler Seguin both tallied two goals of their own in the game to give Boston the much-needed victory. Seguin, a 19 year old rookie, has only played in two games this postseason and has a remarkable three goals and three assists.
Series tied at 1-1.
Next Scheduled Game
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 9:00 p.m. EDT, on Versus and CBC -- The Sharks outplayed the top seeded Canucks through the first two periods of their season opener, but squandered an electrifying performance by goalie Antti Niemi as Vancouver scored two goals in the third period to take Game One. Henrik Sedin scored the dagger midway through the period, giving the Canucks a hard-fought victory. Despite the setback, the Sharks proved they have the personnel to hang with Vancouver and their mission remains the same: win one game in Vancouver to take control of home ice advantage.
Vancouver leads the series, 1-0.