Boston Bruins: Round Three Game Two (Lightening)

     For two periods last night, the Bruins looked like world beaters.  They were the first ones to all the loose pucks.  They won all the battles on the boards.  They dominated at the face-off circle.  They were finding so much open ice it seemed like Tampa played the total of those periods shorthanded.  When ever the defense slipped and let a Lightening player through (which happened more then I'd like) Thomas shut them down cold.  The only thing that kept Boston from establishing an insurmountable lead was the play of Dwayne Roloson.  And then the third period hit and everything changed.  I'm not sure if it was a change of Tampa's game plan or a surge in their efforts or the Bruins just got tired, but all the advantages the Bruins had went away and once again Tim Thomas became the Bruins savior.
     It's weird to save the goaltending was the difference in a 6-5 game, but it was.  The Bruins could have easily been up 8 or 9 to 3 going into the third if Roloson didn't play so well early.  I don't get what about the playoffs brings out the best in Roloson, who during the regular season over his whole career has been average at best, is beyond me, but it can't be argued once it hits April there's arguable no better goalie in hockey.  But Thomas is making a strong case that he the best.  He was amazing stopping multiple break outs during the first two periods, then stood on his head during the third as the Bruins started to fade and Tampa crept back into the game.  I can honestly say it wasn't 6-5 because of the goaltending but because of the horrid defense.
     It's weird how similar both Roloson and Thomas' careers are.  Both had successful college careers at smaller New England schools.  Both took 6 or 7 years toiling in the minors before they broke into the pros.  Both are regularly looked at as unorthodox goalies.  Roloson was 37 when he took his first team to the Cup finals.  Thomas is 37 this year.  Just saying.
     The other obvious stand out was Seguin.  Some people are starting to ask, why has it taken so long for the Bruins to find a place for him on the ice.  Those of us who watched the kid all year know that he wasn't ready when the playoffs started.  It would have been great to have his speed to answer that of Montreal's, but he wasn't showcasing the maturity or skill that we have seen the last two games when the playoffs started.  Julian has a history of sitting young talent in the playoffs to light a fire and give them a chance to watch from the sky box before jumping into the fray.  Ask Phil Kessel.  It always seems to work.  I don't know if it's because he has fresher legs or he was able to learn from watching, but Seguin is now playing like the player we hoped he would be all year.  If he can keep it up and Bergeron comes back strong, this team just got much tougher to beat.  Now if the defense can get their heads straight we'll be looking good.