Nothing in the Bruins-Lightning series so far suggests we're in for a goaltending clinic in Game 7.
People like to joke that a game with poor goaltending could be decided by the last shot on goal.
When it comes to Friday’s huge Game 7 between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, that literally could be the case. It's not that either Boston's Tim Thomas or Tampa Bay's Dwayne Roloson isn't capable of stealing the show by tossing a shutout, but based on their uneven play in the Eastern Conference final, what is the likelihood of that happening?
Thomas gave up five goals in each of the first two games at home, winning one and losing the other, but was on his game in Game 5 when he allowed just one goal. Roloson, meanwhile, has performed miserably in three of his last four starts and was even sat out a game, giving way to backup Mike Smith for Game 5. There are some who have wondered aloud if Tampa Bay shouldn't roll the dice on Smith again in the decisive game.
Thomas is the odds-on favorite to win the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goalie this year, but currently stands fourth in save percentage in the playoffs at .926 and seventh in goals-against average at 2.42. Roloson's numbers are worse: seven in SP at .920 and 11th in GAA at 2.60. And yet, one of these two guys will advance to the Stanley Cup final to face yet another inconsistent goalie in Roberto Luongo.
What will be most interesting in Game 7 is to see what game-plan the Lightning employs. Tampa Bay has been at its best in this series when it puts the accent on offence. And why not? The Lightning have three of the top five scorers in the playoffs in Martin St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier and Teddy Purcell. Boston's leading scorer, David Krejci, ranks seventh.
The home team has won four of the five Game 7s in this year's amazing playoffs, but it’s worth noting: Tampa Bay was the one visiting team that triumphed when the series went the distance, beating the Penguins 1-0 in Game 7 of the opening round in Pittsburgh.
Up with Downie
While the Lightning have an abundance of offensive stars, one of their best players in this year's post-season has been hard-nosed winger Steve Downie. The 24-year-old Toronto native has two goals and 14 points in 16 games to go with a team-high plus-7 and 40 penalty minutes.
Once a reckless player who put his own agenda ahead of his team's, Downie has transformed himself into a responsible player who more often than not makes good decisions. That doesn't mean he has softened. On the contrary, he still plays on the edge, but he doesn't go over the edge as often. While St. Louis was his team's best player in Game 6, Downie was responsible for two of the game's best passes that resulted in goals. This guy has become a difference-maker for his team for all the right reasons.
Thornton 1
Joe Thornton has taken a beating over the years for failing to raise the level of his play in the post-season. That cannot be said of his performance this year. While his San Jose Sharks failed to make it to the Stanley Cup final, Thornton played very well. Others in his team's dressing room need to take a long look at themselves and ask if they brought it, but not Thornton. The fact he played the final game against Vancouver with a separated shoulder illustrates his commitment to winning.
Thornton 2
If the Bruins are looking to shake things up on Friday, maybe they shoulder consider putting aggressive forward Shawn Thornton back into the lineup. The veteran winger plays a physical game, but rarely puts his team in peril by taking dumb penalties. Thornton isn't likely to bring offence to the table, although he did score a career-high 10 goals this season, but he will certainly cause Tampa Bay's defencemen to be on their toes when he's on the ice because they know he loves to hand out bone-rattling checks.
Good guys gone
The NHL said goodbye to a pair of solid citizens this week in Brian Rafalski of the Detroit Red Wings and Doug Weight of the New York Islanders. Rafalski took the long way to the NHL, starting his professional career in Europe before being discovered by the Devils, whom he helped win a pair of Stanley Cups. He won a third with the Red Wings. Weight won a Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes, but his best years were spent in Edmonton and St. Louis. Injuries played havoc with his final three years in the league, but he'll remain with the organization in a mentoring capacity.
