The Tampa Bay Lightning finished the first period ahead of the Boston Bruins by a score of 4-0, and they wasted no time tacking on to their lead in the second period. Three minutes into the second period, Steven Stamkos wrapped the puck in to score his league-leading 49th goal of the season, putting the Bolts up 5-0.
Despite some intense pressure from the Bruins — they had 15 shots in the period to the Bolts’ 3 — Dustin Tokarski kept the Bruins scoreless, making some impressive saves in the process. For a rookie goaltender in only his third NHL start of the season, he is holding up quite well to everything the Bruins can throw at him.
With their commanding lead, the Lightning can sit back and relax in the third period, and it’s likely that head coach Guy Boucher will choose to rest some of his top players. He has been forced to ride his top line hard due to injuries and general ineffectiveness, so Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman could certainly use an easier night.
For more on the Tampa Bay Lightning, check out SB Nation’s blog on the Bolts, Raw Charge.
