The Boston Bruins host the Tampa Bay Lightning for tonight’s, Friday May 27th, decisive Game 7 and the right to represent the East in the Stanley Cup finals against the Vancouver Canucks. Boston is 10-10 all-time in Game 7s, while the Bolts are 3-0 in their history in decisive games. NHL oddsmakers have the Bruins as -155 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 (11-6, 6-3 V) forced tonight’s Game 7 matchup by winning 5-4, at home, on Wednesday. Martin St. Louis was the hero in Game 6 for the fifth-seeded Lightning, notching two goals, including the winning score midway through the third period. Teddy Purcell also lit the lamp twice for the Lightning on Wednesday. Steven Stamkos recorded a goal and two assists. Dwayne Roloson turned aside 16 shots for the victory and the 41-year-old backstop improved his lifetime record in elimination Games to 7-0. Roloson is 10-5 in these playoffs with a 2.60GAA, one shutout, and is 2-0 in Game 7s. Tampa went 3-for-4 on the man advantage. The Lightning won Wednesday's tilt despite playing without forward Sean Bergenheim, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 5. Bergenheim is second to St. Louis and Krejci with nine goals in these playoffs and is questionable for tonight. St. Louis is Mr.Clutch and is the franchise leader in playoff goals (33), assists (35), points (68), power-play goals (10) and short-handed goals (3). Two of his winners clinched series, and he had the winning goal in double overtime of Game 6 (an elimination game) of the 2004 Stanley Cup final against the Flames. "In big games, he's always there to show the way," captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "I'm not surprised."
Boston (11-6, 6-3 H) got a hat trick from David Krejci, who is currently tied with Tampa’s Marty St.Louis with 10 goals and his 20 points is second only to Henrik Sedin of the Canucks. Milan Lucic also wrinkled the net for the Bruins. Goalie Tim Thomas made 21 saves in the Game 6 loss and is 1-2 lifetime in Game 7s. Thomas is currently 11-6 in these playoffs with a 2.42GAA and one shutout. The Bruins scored once on five power-play opportunities. After struggling to find its offense early in the postseason, Boston has put up at least three goals in half of the six games against Tampa Bay. However, the Bruins' forwards have to be more consistent. Milan Lucic, the team's top goal scorer in the regular season with 30 goals, has just 3 this postseason. Boston has not displayed the depth scoring that has carried Tampa Bay to this point and lacks the quick-strike capabilities that the Lightning have displayed so often this series. the Bruins have the biggest advantage in this series. Their top pairing of Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg plays more than 28 minutes a game and has done an excellent job of keeping Tampa Bay's Big Three of Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos in check during even-strength play. Andrew Ference is an underrated No. 3, but Johnny Boychuk has seen his strong start fade. He was on the ice for all five Lightning goals in Game 6.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Favorite is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Home team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Bruins are 5-0 in their last 5 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Bruins are 6-1 in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
Lightning are 7-2 in their last 9 games as an underdog.
Lightning are 7-2 in their last 9 games following a win.
Bruins are 12-3 in their last 15 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Lightning vs Bruins
When: Friday, May 27, 8:00 PM ET
Pick: Bruins -155
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The Bottom Line: Boston should take it tonight based on home ice advantage, where they’ve won two straight over the Lightning. Be sure to check Lightning vs Bruins Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
