The Bruins were on the road again for the second game of their three-game road trip Tuesday night. They were in action against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Marty Turco got his first start in goal for the Bruins in this game. Although he did see some ice time in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, this was his first official start.
The key for the injury-prone Bruins in this game was to match the top line of the Lightning. Teddy Purcell, Steven Stamkos, and Martin St. Louis all have seen ample ice time in the last few games for Tampa Bay and one had to wonder if they had any gas left. Turns out they had plenty left.
Adam McQuaid was ruled out for this game due to an upper-body injury and was replaced in the lineup by Greg Zanon. Daniel Paille made his return in this game as well.
Trent Whitfield was called up by the Bruins on Monday on an emergency basis and he was in the lineup against the Lightning. Finally, Patrice Bergeron was a game-time decision in this one. He left the game on Sunday after taking a slap shot to the leg. Everything checked out and he was cleared to play.
Now it is game time. Tampa Bay scored four goals in the first 20 minutes. The first goal, originally ruled on the ice as a no goal due to a distinct kicking motion, was overturned on replay. That goal caused the problems for the B's as the rest of the period did not go their way. Tim Thomas replaced Turco in goal after he allowed three goals in under five minutes.
Tampa netted another goal in the second period. Stamkos beat Thomas to record his 49th goal of the season. Since the game became out of hand at that point, Turco reentered the game. If you want to say that the B's played better in the second period because they only allowed one goal instead of four, then feel free. It was still a less than desirable 20 minutes of hockey. Boston managed to get 15 shots on Lightning goaltender Dustin Tokarski during that time.
Stamkos notched goal number 50 in the third period, becoming the sixth player in NHL history to score 50 goals twice before turning 23 years of age. Jordan Caron did grab a goal for the Bruins, but it was not nearly enough in this one. Tampa Bay defeated Boston by a score of 6-1. Tokarski picked up his first career NHL win.
The Bruins will be back in action on Thursday night when they take on the Florida Panthers.
Gold Star: Milan Lucic...He was arguably the most consistent player on the ice for Boston. He drove the puck to the net and won some battles along the boards.
Black Star: Marty Turco (8 saves and 12 shots, 4 goals allowed, .667 save percentage)...His passing of the puck was the only aspect of his game worth bragging about in this one.
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