After the Western Conference semi-final round is complete, the much anticipated Eastern Conference Finals will begin. The Boston Bruins will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in what has been a long time waiting for each team. Although the Bruins have such a rich history, the last time the Boston Bruins made the Eastern Conference Finals was in 1992 and their last cup victory in 1972. The Tampa Bay Lighting have a more vivid memory of the Stanley Cup, winning it in 2004. Both teams, however, have had significant struggles in the mid-2000 era. The Bruins finished last in the Atlantic Division in 2006-2007 and were knocked out by the rival Montreal Canadiens in the first round the following year. Since the hiring of current head coach Claude Julien, the Bruins have had success, but nothing like this season. The Tampa Bay Lightning have not even remotely had any success until the 2009-2010 season. With their poor play from 2007-2009, they were able to select Steven Stamkos and Viktor Hedman who are star players for the Lightning today. Needless to say, both the Bruins and the Lightning are having success that they are not quite used to.
Forwards
Brad Marchand has had a very productive postseason thus far. In 11 games played he has recorded 5 goals and 6 assists. Only a rookie, Marchand is playing with a lot of confidence, and rightfully so. Although playing well, Marchand told NESN, "The first few games I was nervous right off the bat. Now I'm starting to calm down a bit and just focus on playing."
Nathan Horton has had a playoff run to remember. In this season's playoffs Horton has capitalized twice in overtime. In addition to his two overtime winners, Horton has obtained 5 goals and 5 assists with a +5 rating. If the Bruins end up in an overtime game, you know who to look for.
Forwards
Brad Marchand has had a very productive postseason thus far. In 11 games played he has recorded 5 goals and 6 assists. Only a rookie, Marchand is playing with a lot of confidence, and rightfully so. Although playing well, Marchand told NESN, "The first few games I was nervous right off the bat. Now I'm starting to calm down a bit and just focus on playing."
Nathan Horton has had a playoff run to remember. In this season's playoffs Horton has capitalized twice in overtime. In addition to his two overtime winners, Horton has obtained 5 goals and 5 assists with a +5 rating. If the Bruins end up in an overtime game, you know who to look for.
Martin St. Louis is tied for the NHL lead in points with 13. An overall offensive threat, St. Louis is no stranger to the Stanley Cup playoffs. St. Louis anchored the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup with 24 points in the playoffs. St. Louis plays well come crunch time and the Eastern Conference Finals will be no exception.
Vincent Lecavalier doesn't trail St. Louis by much, boasting a total of 12 points. 3 of the points he has recorded were game winning goals. Throughout his career he has attained 45 playoff points, a total that he looks to expand in the conference finals.
Defense
Goaltenders
Tim Thomas has arguably been the best goaltender in the NHL for the entire 2010-2011 NHL season. Thomas has kept his strong play going and has produced a .938 save percentage with a 2.03 goals against average. Thomas has been a major factor in the Bruins success this season and the playoffs have been no different. The Bruins will rely on Thomas to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals and thus far he has been up to the task.
Dwayne Roloson has been head and shoulders above the competition in the playoffs thus far. He flaunts a .941 save percentage and a 2.01 goals against average. To many, Roloson has played well enough to earn Conn Smythe honors. Roloson possesses something that not many of the goalies left have; playoff experience. Roloson led the Edmonton Oilers to the 2006 Stanley Cup finals but was injured in game 1.
Defense
Zdeno Chara has had a phenomenal playoff run so far. He boasts a league leading +11 rating and a respectable 4 points. Chara has displayed solid defensive play when called upon and is a key factor on the power play. If the Bruins are to win the series, Chara will need to keep his strong play going.
Mattias Ohlund enters the Eastern Conference Finals with 6 years of playoff experience. In the 2011 playoffs Ohlund has recorded a solid +6 rating in 11 games played. He has also recorded 36 blocked shots. Ohlund is a key asset to the Tampa Bay defense and sees plenty of ice. He sees an average of 20 minutes of ice time per game. The Lightning will need Ohlund's leadership and strong defensive play to make it past the Bruins.
Goaltenders
Dwayne Roloson has been head and shoulders above the competition in the playoffs thus far. He flaunts a .941 save percentage and a 2.01 goals against average. To many, Roloson has played well enough to earn Conn Smythe honors. Roloson possesses something that not many of the goalies left have; playoff experience. Roloson led the Edmonton Oilers to the 2006 Stanley Cup finals but was injured in game 1.
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