Bruins Vs. Lightning, Game 6: Lightning Scores First, But Trail 2-1 After One Period

The Tampa Bay Lightning once again took an early 1-0 lead in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final, as they had in Game 5. However, the Boston Bruins got in gear, struck back and then struck again, much like they had in Game 5. However, in this tilt, the goals came much quicker, whereas in Game 5, the Lightning had their lead for the entire first period. After 20 minutes, the Bruins have a 2-1 lead at St. Pete Times Forum, where they'll look to book their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1990. 

Things started well again for the Lightning, though. Rich Peverly was knocked out of a faceoff with Vincent Lecavalier, and replaced with Chris Kelly. Lecavalier, in turn, won the draw cleanly, and got it to Teddy Purcelly, who ripped a shot to the top corner that Tim Thomas never even saw through the screen of players. It was Purcell's fifth of the post-season, on Lecavalier's 12th assist, at just 36 seconds to make it 1-0. It was the fourth time in this series a goal had been scored within the first 70 seconds of a game, and the third time the Lightning did it.

However, some poor goaltending and turnovers killed the Lightning from there on in. Nathan Horton made a solid pass to Milan Lucic into the Tampa Bay zone. Lucic used Viktor Hedman as a screen and rifled a shot past Roloson. Despite the screen, the shot was arguably stoppable from the Tampa Bay netminder. Was it perhaps a mistake for head coach Guy Boucher to sit him in Game 5 for Mike Smith? Regardless, Lucic had his third of the playoffs at 7:09.

Boston got another goal that could be seen as a little off later in the period. Daniel Paille stole a puck from Steven Stamkos and got it to David Krejci, and he just sniped one to the top of the shelf to make it 2-1 Boston. It was at least the second time in the series that a Boston player has pick-pocketed Stamkos to get a goal, and another shot that Roloson might kick himself for not getting. It was Krejci's eighth of the post-season at 16:30, and Boston left the period with a 2-1 lead.