Nash Breaks Through in Game 1

TAMPA - Rick Nash didn't quite know what to think.
Initially, he was sure he had ripped a shot from the slot by Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy for his second goal of the game. But when the Bruins came together for a post-goal celebration, David Pastrnak had a different view.

"At first I looked at the ref's reaction and he pointed, it was a goal," said Nash. "And then [we] went to the huddle and Pasta actually told me it didn't go in, it was post, post. Then it was a whirlwind, a roller coaster of emotions and then finally it went in. I was going off the ref's signal."

Fortunately for the Bruins, Pastrnak - who tallied four assists - was a bit off on at least one thing on Saturday afternoon.
Ultimately, the goal counted, the puck clanking off the right post and then the back bar for what proved to be the winner in the Bruins' 6-2 thumping of Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the teams' second-round series at Amalie Arena.
For the B's prized trade deadline acquisition, the two-goal performance was a bit of a relief after a frustrating first round against the Maple Leafs. Other than a power-play goal in Game 2, the hulking winger was held scoreless, despite landing at least two shots in all seven games of the series.
"It's nice. I've always seemed to be, throughout my career, it's always seemed like my goals have come in bunches," said Nash. "The chances were there which was good. I was playing on the inside. Finally I got rewarded tonight."
Nash's first tally came late in the first period when he planted himself in his familiar spot in front of the net on the Bruins' first power play unit. When Pastrnak let a wrister rip from the blue line through traffic, the puck deflected off of Nash's stick at the top of the crease just seven seconds into the man advantage to put the Bruins up, 1-0, with 2:49 to play in the opening frame.
"It was going to the net," Nash explained, "and goalies are so good now, you have to take their eyes away, have to get traffic. And I think it tipped off something before it hit my stick, but it was a nice shot from Pasta to get it through the lane."

The 33-year-old's second goal was vintage Rick Nash.
After taking a drop pass from David Krejci just inside the Tampa blue line, Nash weaved into the slot and ripped a rocket by Vasilevskiy to extend the Bruins' lead to 3-1. The tally came just 16 seconds after Boston killed off Pastrnak's penalty for cross-checking, which had negated a Brad Marchand (goal, three assists) goal.
"It's great," said Patrice Bergeron, who had two goals of his own. "He's been playing really good hockey for us. The puck finally got in twice today, but he's had chances every game, and he's been all over the puck and making good plays defensively.
"He's been a huge addition to our lineup and to that line, so definitely great to see, and great effort by him."
In the end, it was Nash's best outing with the Bruins - the exact type of big game performance for which he was acquired from the New York Rangers.
"He had lots of chances in the previous series," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "It's not like I'm trying to sugarcoat it…he had his chances; he didn't score. Now, again, he's a guy that's - history dictates that he'll score.
"Tonight, we needed it. If he keeps getting the chances he gets, I assume he's going to score more, because it's what he's done. So, very good timing for him, for us."