Eastern Conference Finals: #3. Boston vs. #5. Tampa Bay

Bruins got revenge last series and did it while dominating the Flyers in 4 while the Lightning also got themselves a sweep except they took out the number 1 seed in the east in Washington. Now these two teams battle off for a place in the Stanley Cup Finals. The last time Tampa Bay wonthe Stanley Cup was in 2004 when they beat the Calgary Flames in 7 games. The last time the Bruins won the Stanley Cup was in 1972. They beat the New York Rangers in 6 games. Here are my 3 keys to the series.

1. Goaltending.

Well well well, looks like we have ourselves a battle. Two veteran goalies finally getting a chance to prove himself and both are putting on a clinic. Tim Thomas is 37 and has an 8-3 record while allowing 23 goals past him. He has the second best save percentage and goals allowed average in the NHL right now. Who has number 1? His counterpart, Dwayne Roloson. The 41 year old wants one more shot before he retires. He was the Edmonton Oilers goalie for the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals but was injured in game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes. He finally is one step away from another shot. He leads the NHL in save percentage and goals allowed as I mentioned earlier and he played a potent Washington Capitals offense and a injured but still strong Pittsburgh offense. The goaltending in these games will be huge. It will make or break this series.

2. Patrice Bergeron.

Bergeron was injured in the series clinching game 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers getting hit by Claude Giroux. Giroux's helmet hit Bergeron and the Bruins are saying he has a concussion. Not a big concussion, but a concussion regardless. He has been the powerplay monster for the Bruins and without him their struggling powerplay takes an even worse hit. Here's to hoping Bergeron makes a recovery and can return for the series against Tampa Bay.

3. Sean Bergenheim.

This guy has kind of flew into the spotlight. He spent the regular season playing 80 games and netting 14 goals, ranking 174th among active players. But in this postseason he has played 11 games and has 7 goals which leads the league. If he continues to put goals in the net like that (unlikely with a wall like Thomas between the pipes) he is my pick for the Conn Smythe winner.


Players to watch:

I'm not even going to write anything here. Read key 1 to the series and you'll understand who and why.


Prediction: Tampa Bay has been the hottest team this postseason and they have postseason leaders like Vinny Lecavalier and Martin. St. Louis. That's something the Bruins don't have. Give me the Lightning in 6.