Tampa Bay @ Boston: Game Five Preview

Tampa Bay Lightning fans formed a human lightning bolt at the airport to show support for their team as they begun their flight to Boston for game five:

The Bruins vs. Lightning match-up has evolved into a promising series as we head into game five tonight in Boston.  One of the big questions heading into tonight's game is whether or not Dwayne Roloson will be getting the start, despite giving up three goals on nine shots in the first period of game four.  He was replaced by back-up Mike Smith who stood perfect for the remainder of the game and allowed Tampa Bay to score five unanswered goals to even up the series. According to an NHL.com article, all indications suggest that Roloson will be starting.  According to Lightning coach Guy Boucher:

I don't think we have a situation.  We have a goaltender that has taken us here and has played really well and is preparing for (Monday).  And you've got a goaltender that came in relief, and he's done really well.  Every time we've asked Smitty to come in, he's played well.  We've got a goaltender that's taken us here, knows how to win and knows how to bounce back.  I don't feel there's a situation there.

Goaltender Mike Smith seems to be in agreement with Boucher:

I don't expect to (start Game 5). But I'll be ready to. Roli's carried us through the playoffs this far and I don't expect anything less than for him to come back and have a great game.

I fully support Dwayne Roloson getting the start tonight.  He deserves it.  The 41-year-old goaltender has carried his team throughout the playoffs to date, and, for the most part, has been phenomenal.  I believe that he understands this is most likely his last year to win a Stanley cup, and I'm sure that's not something he's taking for granted.  Expect Roloson to play and stand on his head tonight.  At the same time, however, note that the Lightning have outscored the Bruins 7-0 when Mike Smith has been in net, and Mike Smith has yet to allow a goal on the 27 shots he has faced.  While I think that Roloson will, and should, get the start tonight, I don't think it's an obvious or easy decision for Boucher to make.

The most critical area for the Bruins to improve in is their special teams.  Special teams can make or break a series.  The puck movement on Tampa Bay's power play in game four was nothing short of impressive.  The Lightning's power play percentage is at 23.7% for the series, compared to the Bruins who are operating at just 7.7%.  It seems to me like these stats are the result of a dominant Tampa Bay power play with Stamkos, Lecavalier and St. Louis, combined with a struggling Bruins penalty kill.  The Bruins are killing off just 81.8% of penalties, versus the Lightning who are killing off 92.8% of theirs.  This is clearly a problem the Bruins must address and improve to be successful moving forward.

The Bruins will also need to pay special attention to Teddy Purcell who scored the first two goals for Tampa Bay in game four that started their comeback.  Sean Bergenheim had the third goal of that same game, and he now leads the league in postseason goals.