The Boston Bruins will try to bounce back from a frustrating Game 4 loss tonight, Monday May 23rd, when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the deadlocked Eastern Conference finals, at TD Garden. NHL oddsmakers have the Bruins as -150 moneyline home favourites over the Lightning (+135) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals. Be sure to check the Lightning vs Bruins NHL Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Tampa Bay (10-5, 6-2 V) dug themselves out of a 0-3 hole Saturday by scoring three quick goals in the second period to tie the game and then added two more tallies in the third to take a thrilling 5-3 decision. Tampa Bay forward Teddy Purcell ignited the comeback with a pair of tallies in a 63-second span during the second period burst, the latter coming at 7:58. Sean Bergenheim tied the game when he outworked Boston defenseman Tomas Kaberle behind the net and fired a quick shot through the legs of Tim Thomas at 10:53. Simon Gagne supplied the tie-breaking goal just under seven minutes into the third period and Martin St. Louis completed the scoring inside the final minute with an empty-netter to help Tampa even the series at 2-2. "The reality is it's 0-0 going into Boston, just like we were the first game played there," said Tampa head coach Guy Boucher. "We went in the first game 0-0, and now we're going there again 2-2. So there's no difference in our approach." Mike Smith stopped all 21 shots he faced in relief of Lightning starting goaltender Dwayne Roloson to record his first career playoff win. Roloson was pulled for the second time in three games after allowing three goals in 18 minutes of action. He’s expected to start tonight. Tampa forward Steve Downie is questionable for tonight's game after suffering a head injury in Saturday's win. Downie provides a physical spark for the Lightning and also has two goals and 10 assists this postseason. Boucher said Downie's status is day-to-day.
Boston (10-5, 5-3 H) got a pair of goals from Patrice Bergeron, who returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing two games with a concussion. Goaltender Tim Thomas, who was coming off a 31-save shutout in Game 3, stopped 32-of-36 shots on Saturday. "All the things we had done well the game before and in the first period of tonight was, again, kind of slipped and by the time you kind of get yourself going, a lot of damage is done," said Bruins head coach Claude Julien. Boston didn’t play with the same intensity once it grabbed its 3-0 lead. “You can just see watching video (that) we were doing things that were uncharacteristic,” forward Milan Lucic said. “We weren’t sharp like we were the four periods prior. “They had no quit in their game and they kept pushing and pushing.” Lucic has been a disappointment with just two goals and four assists in the postseason after leading the Bruins with 30 goals in the regular season. His linemates, David Krejci and Nathan Horton, have underperformed against the Lightning. “We’ve had some great games and we’ve had some not so great games,” Lucic said, “but right now it’s not a time to start asking questions. It just matters what we do tonight.”
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Boston.
Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Lightning are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.
Lightning are 4-19-4 in the last 27 meetings in Boston.
Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 playoff games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Lightning are 9-2 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.
Lightning are 9-2 in their last 11 overall.
Lightning are 9-2 in their last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Lightning vs Bruins
When: Monday, May 23, 8:00 PM ET
Pick: Bruins -150
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NHL Point Spreads before Lightning vs Bruins game.
The Bottom Line: The Lightning seem to play better away from home, and they must also have a great performance from goalie Dwayne Roloson. Be sure to check Lightning vs Bruins Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
