There is still no score after two periods of Game 7 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, and the Lightning have Dwayne Roloson to thank for that. The Bruins hold a lopsided 29-17 edge in shots on goal and have controlled the flow for most of the game. But they haven’t found a way to get on the scoreboard.
The Lightning continue to get occasional scoring chances, but Tim Thomas has not had to make many difficult saves, and Boston continues to play strong defense in their own zone. Tampa Bay has had potentially costly giveaways in their own end and the Bruins skaters have looked faster and fresher than the Lightning for most of the night.
As noted earlier, Steven Stamkos returned to the game shortly after taking a Johnny Boychuk shot to the face at the 4:59 mark of the second period. Nathan Horton has also returned for the Bruins after falling awkwardly on his leg following a hit by Nate Thompson in the first period.
While the game has been intense and physical, it’s been very clean. No penalties have been called in the first two periods, and it’s hard to argue that very many should have been called. With a tie game and a trip to the Stanley Cup FInal on the line tonight, expect the penalty-free trend to continue for as long as this game takes.