Times staff, wires
Saturday, June 11, 2011
VANCOUVER — Tim Thomas is giving a masterful performance in his net during the Stanley Cup final. He's also doing an excellent job masking the frustration that must be coursing through him.
The Bruins goalie has allowed just six goals by the Canucks in five games, yet Boston is heading home facing elimination in Game 6 on Monday.
Vancouver moved to the brink of its first NHL title with a 1-0 victory Friday — the Canucks' second 1-0 home win in a series dominated by the home teams. Unless they hold off the Canucks at TD Garden, the Bruins won't get one last chance to figure it out.
"The plan was for us to score more than them, which I guess we have, but … " Thomas said, his voice trailing off.
Indeed, the Bruins have outscored Vancouver 14-6 in the series, but 12 of those goals were in two blowout wins in Boston. The West Coast hasn't been nearly as kind to the Bruins in a series that has been dominated by stellar goaltending from Thomas and Roberto Luongo.
"It's very close," Luongo said Saturday. "It's at our fingertips right now. The next two days are going to be very important to stay focused."
The Bruins realize they're in a tight spot, but they've been in multiple jams already in the postseason, which started with two home losses to Montreal. Boston has won Game 7 twice already, beating the Canadiens and the Lightning — but both of those were at home.
"We've been through this, I don't know how many times, so it's not something that's new to us," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "We've had to regroup all year. I don't think we're a team that's done anything the easy way, so in certain ways, it's not a surprising that we're here in this situation where we've got to bring our team back home and create a Game 7."
Lightning signs top pick: The Lightning signed Brett Connolly, its 2010 top draft pick, to an entry-level contract. There was no confirmation from the team, and Connolly could not immediately be reached, but Connolly's father, Pat, confirmed the signing.
An official announcement is expected in early July after the paperwork is filed.
Connolly, 19, selected sixth overall, had 46 goals, 73 points and 26 penalty minutes in 59 games last season for Prince George of the junior Western league.
Connolly is in Toronto working with a personal trainer. He is expected to participate next month at the Lightning's prospects camp.
Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.