The Bruins Look to Eliminate the Lightning in Tonight's Game 6 Match-Up

Tim Thomas' save on Steve Downie is the kind of save the can define an entire series.  Absolutely incredible.  The Bruins have no choice but to raise their standard of play after watching their goaltender make a save like that.  In Brad Marchand's post-game press conference, he commented on the fact that in the final ten minutes of the third period when things were starting to get hectic, Thomas appeared to be poised and calm.  This has a contagious effect on the entire hockey team, and it's obvious that the Bruins have the utmost confidence in their goaltender.  This confidence allows the five other skaters on the ice to take risks and chances knowing that Thomas has their back.  "With their goaltender, we're not nervous, we're expecting that," said Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher after Game Five.  Not only does Tim Thomas' performance earn the confidence of his own team, it drains the life out of the opposition.  Steve Downie remained on the bench reflecting on what could have been long after the game was finished:

The goaltending situation for the Lightning has not been as straightforward as it has been for the Bruins.  I believed that, despite being pulled in Game 4, Dwayne Roloson would still start Game 5.  Clearly, I was wrong.  Roloson watched the game from the bench in favor of Mike Smith who made 17 saves on 19 shots.

It has been confirmed, however, that Roloson will get the Game 6 start tonight.

The good news for Tampa Bay is that Roloson is 6-0 in postseason elimination games.  We'll find out at 8:00 PM EST tonight if he can keep that streak alive.  I believe that this series will take seven games to decide, and that the Bruins will eventually emerge victorious to play the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup finals.