By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 19, 2011
TAMPA — After the first two games of the Eastern Conference final produced a total 18 goals, Game 3 Thursday night at the St. Pete Times Forum went in the opposite direction.
The Bruins beat the Lightning 2-0 in a close-checking contest that featured fine goaltending by Boston's Tim Thomas and Tampa Bay's Dwayne Roloson, and the Bruins took a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven series in front of a sellout crowd of 21,027.
David Krejci scored 1:09 into the game after a bad defensive gaff by Tampa Bay. Tyler Seguin scored his fourth goal of the series 8:12 into the third period.
Boston also got a boost from the return of center Patrice Bergeron, who missed the first two games with concussion symptoms.
The Lightning's penalty kill, which allowed two goals in a 6-5 Game 2 loss, returned to form, killing all three Boston power plays. But Tampa Bay's power play was 0-for-3.
Tampa Bay did not storm Thomas, but the goalie made 31 saves for his second career playoff shutout and came up big when he had to. He also got a bit of luck in the second period when Steven Stamkos whizzed a wrist shot off the crossbar.
The Lightning had the better of play in the first period and outshot the Bruins 10-8. But one Tampa Bay mistake led to Krejci's goal, and the Bruins also won 14 of 18 faceoffs.
Boston took the lead 1:09 into the period when a giveaway by Lightning defenseman Brett Clark and bad positioning by defenseman Victor Hedman left Krejci alone in front of the net. Roloson did not have a chance as Krejci, unchecked, deked him out of position.
From there, the Lightning took off and at one point had a 7-3 lead in shots. And Thomas had to be sharp during a serious Tampa Bay flurry that featured leg saves on wrist shots by Teddy Purcell and Vinny Lecavalier within five seconds and a block of Marty St. Louis' shot by Dennis Seidenberg six seconds after that.
Roloson had to be sharp with 9:39 left as Gregory Campbell launched a spin-o-rama shot. Roloson made the save but did not know where the puck was under him, prompting a scramble in the crease in which Campbell took an extra swipe at Roloson.
Simon Gagne came to Roloson's defense, and both players received two minutes for roughing.
Tampa Bay had a great chance with St. Louis and Lecavalier on a two-on-one with 8:09 remaining. But St. Louis' cross-ice pass was knocked away by the long stick of 6-foot-9 Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara.
Lightning coach Guy Boucher was as animated as he has been all season after Marc-Andre Bergeron was called for elbowing Krejci with 2:31 remaining. Replays showed Bergeron hit Krejci legally with his shoulder, and Boucher gave referee Steve Kozari an earful.
The Bruins had a 12-6 advantage in shots, but both goalies had moments when they had to shine, and the period ended 1-0 for Boston.
Roloson had the first big save 21 seconds into the second period. After a takeaway by Brad Marchand, Bergeron had an open shot on left wing, but Roloson got to his right quickly and made the save.
Thomas showed skill with 6:51 left with a right-foot save on Lecavalier's blast from the slot.
Roloson answered with a left-leg save on Rich Peverly from in close at the end of a two-on-one, and another save on Peverley's rebound try.
Seguin made it 2-0 in the third when he deflected in Andrew Ference's shot from the point and the puck trickled through Roloson's legs.
Inside
Lightning no surprise to Bettman
Commissioner Gary Bettman credits a good owner and GM for Tampa Bay's quick turnaround. 3C
Playoffs are playoffs to Boucher
Lightning coach Guy Boucher, in his first NHL postseason, has junior and AHL playoff experience. 4C
Tickets
Saturday's Game 4 and a potential Game 6 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa are sold out. Unused team tickets might be released on game days. Check with the box office at (813) 301-6600 and Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-3000).
On the Web
For more photos of the Lightning's x-x loss to the Bruins, check out sports.tampabay.com.
* Games 6, 7 if necessary