Mishkin: Bruins 4, Lightning 1

The Boston Bruins did two things very well in this game and both contributed to their victory. First, despite yielding much of the puck possession to the Lightning in the game, they defended very well in front of goaltender Tuukka Rask. They allowed 31 shots, but up until the last 10 minutes of the game, held the Bolts to only a few dangerous scoring chances. Second, when the Bruins had a chance to get pucks to the net in the offensive zone, they did it effectively. As a result, they netted four goals, all of which went into the net from inside the hashmarks. The Lightning also helped Boston's cause by committing some costly mistakes at critical times.

But as a whole, the Lightning's performance was a vast improvement over Friday's defeat to Columbus. The Lightning wanted a higher compete level - and they got that. They were able to win a lot of puck battles, especially in the offensive zone, where they enjoyed some long, extended shifts. That helped account for their puck possession advantage. They could not, however, translate that puck possession time into shots on goal or scoring chances. At least through the first 50 minutes of the game. Some of that had to do with how well the Bruins defended in front of Rask, as I already mentioned. But also, the Lightning missed the net with a number of their shot attempts. They had nine misses in the first and seven more in the second. So Rask didn't have to stop those shots and the Lightning didn't have an opportunity for any rebound attempts.
The Lightning did get strong performances from Jonathan Drouin, who posted eight shots (a season-high for any Lightning player in a game) and Brayden Point, who created several good looks throughout the contest.
But the Bolts have now suffered their second consecutive loss. Ending this skid is paramount - and if it's going to happen in their next game, they'll need to beat a Columbus team that badly outplayed them last Friday.
Lightning Radio Big Moment of the Game:
Dominic Moore's opening goal.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Tuukka Rask - Bruins. 30 saves. 2. Torey Krug - Bruins. Two assists. 3. Jonathan Drouin - Lightning. Eight shots.