Need to Know: Bruins-Lightning | Game 2

BostonBruins.com- Two years ago, the Bruins captued Game 1 of their second-round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning in convincing fashion. It was not a harbinger of things to come.
They did not win another game, as the Bolts took four straight games to oust them from the postseason.The Black & Gold have no intentions of allowing history to repeat itself, as they look to open up a 2-0 series lead over the Lightning on Tuesday night in Toronto.

"I think both teams have grown since then, some different personnel," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "Game 1 is not going to dictate the whole series typically. Hey, it's great if we go out there and put together three periods like our first period but they had push back as the game went on.
"I thought they competed hard [on Sunday] night, just maybe not right from the first whistle on as ready as we are, but that happens to teams. But they were certainly physical and trying to play behind us and finish checks when they could all over the ice, so at the end of the day, two years ago doesn't matter, only in the essence that if you win the first game you can't get too comfortable.
"You put it behind you and you worry about the next one. And maybe two years ago we were a little overconfident going into the second game and I don't believe that will be the problem this year."
The Bruins know they'll get Tampa's best shot in Game 2, as they did for a large chunk of the second period on Sunday night. Boston was able to hold off the Lightning's surge and will look to draw on that composure once again on Tuesday.
"I think you see in any of these games, none of the teams are gonna have complete 60-minute dominance or control of the game," said Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. "I think it's pretty natural in the playoffs that teams are going back and forth. Just got to weather those moments, those difficult storms and try to play with composure and patience and wait for your moment.
"Obviously, you want to take advantage of the moments you have for your team and obviously playing well defensively and structurally during those moments the other team is pushing."

Third Line Passes Test

Cassidy opted to alter the look of his third line for Game 1, re-inserting Nick Ritchie and Anders Bjork into the lineup to flank Charlie Coyle. While the trio did not generate much offensively - Coyle did his damage with the top line - Cassidy pointed to their overall game, which included not allowing any Lightning scoring chances while they were on the ice, as a step in the right direction.
"They were on the ice for no chances against, so that's a good start in terms of not giving up anything," said Cassidy. "Clearly, we have higher standards than that, but you want them to be solid away from the puck. I think they got into their rhythm in the third period. There was penalties in the first and second, Ritchie and Bjork, right now, weren't on either special teams which is a problem to get them their minutes. We understand that, but we've got to put the people out there we feel best able to do the job.
"I thought they generated well in the third, Bjork had some good looks, high tip, cut inside ice late, good leg saved by [Andrei] Vasilevskiy. Ritchie protected pucks better in the third. I thought he was a presence finishing some checks, so all in all a step in the right direction compared to maybe the Carolina series."

Back-to-Back on Tap

The Bruins and Lightning will play Games 2 and 3 on back-to-back nights, leaving a decision for Cassidy to make between the pipes. Whether he turns to 35-year-old Jaroslav Halak for both contests or rookie Daniel Vladar for Game 3 remains to be seen.
"Too early to tell," said Cassidy. "[Sunday] night was a busy night for Jaro, I thought, as it went on, and he responded well. Took the day off today the ice, so that will help him recover. Let's get through the game [on Tuesday] night, might also be a situation where we are in the series. Sometimes you've got to look at your lineup and say, 'OK, do we have the luxury of making any changes, how it will affect us, how does it affect the group throwing another guy in there?'
"I think our guys play hard no matter who's in there. They said it before with Vladar, he competes in practice every day, just signed a new deal, happy for him. But at the end of the day, I think it'll be a decision we probably make Wednesday morning after we sort through the game on Tuesday and see where Jaro is at physically, and have Danny prepared Tuesday night."
With so much hockey on the horizon, the Bruins held a limited practice on Monday afternoon with several players staying off the ice, including Patrice Bergeron, Jaroslav Halak, David Krejci, Torey Krug, Sean Kuraly, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak.
"Immediately our mindset goes to learning from [Game 1], how are we gonna get better, how are we going to continue to build our game? That's what we did today, good practice day. Our focus has shifted to Game 2," said Charlie McAvoy.

Opposing View

Lightning coach Jon Cooper said on Monday that defenseman Ryan McDonagh did not skate during an optional practice. The blue liner was injured in the third period of Game 1 and did not return. He has not been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 2.