Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 7: Boston Advances To Stanley Cup Finals With 1-0 Win

Bruins Vs. Lightning: Nathan Horton, Boston Rebound From Game 6 Frustrations, Advance To Stanley Cup Finals

After two and a half scoreless periods, Nathan Horton found the back of the net for the Boston Bruins in Game 7 to send them to the Stanley Cup with a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 7: Horton's Third Period Goal Wins It For Boston

The Boston Bruins finally broke through in the third period of a scoreless Game 7, and it was Nathan Horton who did it. The Bruins advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1990, and defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 1-0 at TD Garden to win the Prince of Wales Trophy. 

It was a largely Boston dominated first period shotwise, though Tampa Bay made it very much an end-to-end game during long stretches. Boston out-shot Tampa 15-9 in the opening frame. Dwayne Roloson was superb, making a save on the period's only break-away, on Milan Lucic. Tim Thomas was also solid. All in all, though both teams got chances, with the exception of the Lucic break-away, most of them were very much stoppable chances. And the one great scoring chance got stopped.

The period was also notable for their being no penalties the entire way through. Eric Brewer led the Lightning in ice time in the first period with 7:46 on the ice, while Zdeno Chara of the Bruins led all skaters with a notable 8:55 spent on the rink during the first period.

The highlight of the second period was likely Steven Stamkos taking a shot to the nose from Johnny Boychuk. A lot of the shot got Stamkos' visor, causing some to hypothesize that Stamkos may have been in much worse shape had he not been wearing one. The young Lightning star missed exactly one shift, and returned to the bench, with both a cage and one of the more exquisite scars we've seen in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Yet another reminder that hockey players are tougher than almost any other human beings in sports.

The shots and offensive play in the period were once again dominated by Boston. The Bruins out-shot the Lightning by a count of 14-8 in the middle frame, and are now leading the statistic 29-17 through two periods. The biggest save of the period came from Dwayne Roloson once again, as he stoned Mark Recchi point blank on a fantastic chance, and then got him again from an equally opportunistic angle. There were no penalties for the second straight period. The Prince of Wales Trophy hangs in the balance in period three.

Finally, a breakdown in Tampa's defensive system, which had been so vaunted this entire playoffs, led to a Boston goal. David Krejci and Nathan Horton found a seam in the defense and got a quick two-on-one. Krejci slid it across the ice for Horton, who simply tapped it in behind Roloson to make it 1-0 at 12:27 of the third period. The guy they acquired from Florida in the off-season to bring more offensive punch scored one of the biggest goals in modern Bruins franchise history. The Lightning could barely get Roloson off the ice, and a poor offensive effort in Game 7 was punctuated by not even getting a shot on Thomas late.

So, though the Tampa Bay Lightning were valiant in their performance, with so many gutsy players - Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Sean Bergenheim, Eric Brewer - eventually fell to just a lack of offense and lack of time to get anything going. The Bruins advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1990, which will begin on Wednesday night in Vancouver. What a series. 

Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 7: Teams Battle Through Scoreless Second Period

After only two scoreless periods through the first six games of this entire series, we have seen two consecutive scoreless periods in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. Boston looks to advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1990, while Tampa Bay looks to book their first trip to the Final since 2004. The teams remain even at 0-0 in a riveting, bruising Game 7 after 40 minutes. It's the seventh time in NHL history that a Game 7 has gone 0-0 through two periods. 

The highlight of the period was likely Steven Stamkos taking a shot to the nose from Johnny Boychuk. A lot of the shot got Stamkos' visor, causing some to hypothesize that Stamkos may have been in much worse shape had he not been wearing one. The young Lightning star missed exactly one shift, and returned to the bench, with both a cage and one of the more exquisite scars we've seen in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Yet another reminder that hockey players are tougher than almost any other human beings in sports. 

The shots and offensive play in the period were once again dominated by Boston. The Bruins out-shot the Lightning by a count of 14-8 in the middle frame, and are now leading the statistic 29-17 through two periods. The biggest save of the period came from Dwayne Roloson once again, as he stoned Mark Recchi point blank on a fantastic chance, and then got him again from an equally opportunistic angle. There were no penalties for the second straight period. The Prince of Wales Trophy hangs in the balance in period three. 

Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 7: Teams Scoreless After One Period

After a wild series with tons of goal scoring and only one shutout the entire series, we are 0-0 at the end of Game 7 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Bruins are looking to make their first Stanley Cup Final since 1990, while the Lightning look to qualify for the first time since 2004. This was just the third scoreless period of this entire series. 

It was a largely Boston dominated period shotwise, though Tampa Bay made it very much an end-to-end game during long stretches. Boston out-shot Tampa 15-9 in the opening frame. Dwayne Roloson was superb, making a save on the period's only break-away, on Milan Lucic. Tim Thomas was also solid. All in all, though both teams got chances, with the exception of the Lucic break-away, most of them were very much stoppable chances. And the one great scoring chance got stopped. 

The period was also notable for their being no penalties the entire way through. Eric Brewer led the Lightning in ice time in the first period with 7:46 on the ice, while Zdeno Chara of the Bruins led all skaters with a notable 8:55 spent on the rink during the first period. So far, a tense, exciting game with a breathless pace. 

Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 7: Sean Bergenheim Likely Out For Tampa Bay

Sean Bergenheim has had a breakout campaign in these 2011 NHL playoffs for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he hasn't played since Game 5 with an undisclosed lower-body injury. 

He skated on Friday morning prior to Game 7 at TD Garden with his teammates, but according to coach Guy Boucher, he's doubtful for the game. Bergenheim skated prior to Game 6 as well but didn't play. 

It's a big edge for the Bruins when the Lightning don't have Bergenheim in the lineup. He's given them some needed scoring on the third line (and he's defensively sound, too), but without him, the Bruins have the superior third unit. Chris Kelly, Tyler Seguin and Michael Ryder have more room to run free without Bergenheim's presence.

Couple that with the Bruins' fourth-line that has some punch and Boston definitely holds the even strength advantage with the forwards. But hey, Tampa made it work in Game 6. This is a Game 7, and you can't really analyze things too much. Anything can happen.

For more on Friday's Game 7, check in with our Eastern Conference Final series hub, as well as our blogs: Raw Charge covering the Lightning and Stanley Cup of Chowder covering the Bruins.

Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 7: Guy Boucher Can Join Three's Company Of First-Year Coaches

Guy Boucher has done a remarkable job with the Tampa Bay Lightning in his first season as head coach. Of course, not all the credit can go to him, as Steve Yzerman has clearly put his mark on the club as well. And you also can't forget about Jeff Vinik, the new owner that made a remarkable turn-around for these Lightning possible in just one season.

But Boucher has been fantastic, even Harry Potter-esque with that scar on his face. He's implemented a style, his players have bought in and everybody is reaping the rewards.

And if Boucher and the Lightning are able to win Game 7 on Friday night against the Boston Bruins, the first-year head coach will be the third coach in three seasons to head to the Stanley Cup Finals as Eastern Conference Champion in their first year in charge. 

Dan Bylsma took over midseason with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and led them to a Stanley Cup, and in 2010, Peter Laviolette took over in December and led the Flyers to the Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. Three years in a row? Could happen tonight. 

For more on Friday's Game 7, check in with our Eastern Conference Final series hub, as well as our blogs: Raw Charge covering the Lightning and Stanley Cup of Chowder covering the Bruins.

Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 7: Simon Gagne Thrives In Elimination Games At TD Garden

Last year, the Boston Bruins were a lock to clinch a berth to the Eastern Conference Finals. Then, Simon Gagne happened.

With a 3-0 series lead in hand, the B's went to overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 4. Gagne, then with the Flyers, scored the overtime winner to force a Game 5. Gagne scored two goals in a 4-0 Philadelphia win, forcing Game 6. 

He was quiet in that one, but in Game 7, Gagne's third period dagger gave the Flyers a 4-3 game lead and ultimately a 4-3 series lead in what was perhaps the most incredible comeback in sports history.

He knows what it's like to play in a huge game at TD Garden, and apparently he thrives in it. Three goals in his last two elimination games in that building.

Can he do it again on Friday night in Game 7?

For more on Friday's Game 7, check in with our Eastern Conference Final series hub, as well as our blogs: Raw Charge covering the Lightning and Stanley Cup of Chowder covering the Bruins.

Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 7: One Final Game To Determine Eastern Conference Champion

It all comes down to one more game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins on Friday night as they look to claim Game 7, the Eastern Conference Final series, the Prince of Wales Trophy and a trip to Vancouver to face the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final next week.

And really, both teams have had identical journeys to this point. In the first round, the Lightning erased a two-game series deficit against the Pittsburgh Penguins to come back and advance in Game 7. The Bruins did the same against the Montreal Canadiens. Then, these two teams went up against the top two teams in the East -- the Lightning vs. the No. 1 Capitals and the Bruins against the No. 2 Flyers.

Boston and Tampa Bay wiped the floor with those opponents, sweeping them in convincing fashion to advance to these Conference Finals. Game 7 is the only way to properly end this series between, as evidenced, the two best teams in the East this season. 

It's what you'd expect in terms of the lineup: Dwayne Roloson in goal for the Bolts, Tim Thomas for the Lightning. Nathan Horton will indeed be in the lineup for Boston after the NHL decided not to suspend him for throwing a water bottle at a fan in Tampa after Game 6. 

For more on Friday's Game 7, check in with our Eastern Conference Final series hub, as well as our blogs: Raw Charge covering the Lightning and Stanley Cup of Chowder covering the Bruins.

You can also find more local coverage at SB Nation Tampa Bay and SB Nation Boston, and surely the folks at Nucks Misconduct will be watching the game with a watchful eye.