BY IAN MENDES
sportsnet.ca

Tyler Seguin was a healthy scratch for the Boston Bruins in their first 11 post-season games this spring.

But the 19-year-old likely won't be watching any more games from the press box in these playoffs.

Seguin scored an electrifying goal that changed the momentum of Game 2 and then added another tally, helping spark the Bruins to a wild 6-5 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning to even their best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

"It's definitely tough watching from above. I tried to take everything in and learned as much as I can," said Seguin of his stretch of being a healthy scratch. "It's hard sitting there and not being able to help with the boys, but I wanted to take advantage of any opportunity I got."

"He showed why he's going to be such a great player and why he's always going to be a threat in this league. For him to step up like he did tonight, he was really the reason why we won," said teammate Brad Marchand.

Seguin, who also added a pair of assists, has now scored in each of his first two NHL playoff games. The rookie centre was only thrust into the lineup due to an injury to star centre Patrice Bergeron. After his memorable four-point performance Tuesday night, it's safe to assume that Bruins head coach Claude Julien has no choice but to use the teenage sensation going forward.

"He was extremely good out there, one of our best players. He was excited waiting for his opportunity and he's making most of it," said Julien.

"I think it's just a learning curve. It's been a whole learning curve all year, and as the year went on, I felt more confident, more poised, and in big games I always want to step up," added Seguin. "Tonight I had some lucky bounces, but I was trying to take advantage of all opportunities, and they were going in tonight."

With his team trailing 2-1 in the opening minute of the second period, the rookie burst in on a breakaway and neatly tucked a backhand over a sprawling Dwayne Roloson.

"That goal today, I just kind of cut to the neutral zone and they were two deep and I tried to beat them with my speed," explained Seguin. "I wanted to mix up the move and not do the same thing that I did the last game, and it worked out."

Less than two minutes later, David Krejci completed a beautiful passing sequence with Dennis Seidenberg and tapped the go-ahead goal past Roloson, giving Boston a lead they would never relinquish -- although the Lightning refused to go quietly on this night.

Seguin added his second goal at the 6:30 mark of the second period, making the score 4-2 for Boston. They would need that goal, as Vincent Lecavalier scored a power play midway through the second period to cut the Boston lead to one goal.

But Seguin once again factored into the next sequence, setting up a power play goal by Michael Ryder with less than four minutes left in the second period to restore the Bruins' two-goal cushion. The much-maligned Bruins power play converted on two opportunities Tuesday night, marking the first time since Mar. 27 they scored multiple power play goals in a game.

"He's got a lot of speed and that helps a lot. We just read off each other well and we have some chemistry. We just have to make sure we keep that going," said Ryder, who played with Seguin most of the night and also had a two-goal effort.

The teams traded goals in the third period, with the Lightning staging a furious rally to cut a 6-3 deficit into a one-goal game in the final seven minutes. But they couldn't score the equalizer late in the third period. Martin St. Louis had a glorious opportunity in front of Tim Thomas in the final 30 seconds of the game, but the Bruins netminder was able to make the crucial stop.

"I was surprised. We got away from our game and gave them a lot of scoring chances. We fought back, but we didn't deserve that game," said a discouraged St. Louis.

The Lightning started and finished this game controlling the pace. They actually put the Bruins on their heels early in this contest, as Adam Hall scored just 13 seconds into the first period to stun the crowd at TD Bank Garden. After the Bruins tied the game on a power play goal from Nathan Horton, St. Louis scored with just six seconds left in the opening frame to send the Lightning to the dressing room with a 2-1 lead.

The Lightning were certainly in position after 20 minutes to become just the sixth team in NHL history to win seven consecutive road games in a single playoff year. But after a disastrous second period, Roloson was pulled in favor of Mike Smith after allowing five goals.

In a strange twist, the Lightning's big three -- St. Louis, Steven Stamkos and Lecavalier - all had productive nights in a losing cause. In the opener, the trio combined for just one assist in a 5-2 win. In Game 2, they each scored a goal and collected nine points amongst them.

"Our structure wasn't the way it was supposed to be tonight," said Lecavalier, who lead the Lightning with a goal and three assists. "I don't want to take any credit away from the Bruins. They really came out and played hard."

"We don't quit, we have a lot of character on this team. We had some chances to tie it up, but we can't give up six goals and expect to win," added Stamkos, who had a three-point night. "Five goals scored should be plenty to win."

The Lightning left Boston immediately after this contest, heading home to Tampa Bay for Game 3 on Thursday night.