Tampa Bay Wins 3-1, Bruins One Loss Away from the End

The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 Saturday afternoon to take a 3-1 series lead. Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat (2 goals) scored for the Lightning, while Jake DeBrusk was the lone goal scorer for the Bruins.

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves in the win, while Jaroslav Halak had 23 stops in the loss.

An uncharacteristic first period by the Bruins led to the Lightning striking first less than 10 minutes into the first period. Despite all five Bruins skaters in front of Halak, Brayden Point was able to stickhandle around defenseman Torey Krug and find Ondrej Palat alone in front.

Palat’s shot went top left corner on Halak, and gave the Lightning the lead.

Palat makes it 1-0 Tampa.#NHLBruins #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/DMMBrGL3X5

— BOSHockeyNow (@BOSHockeyNow) August 29, 2020

The glove-side of Halak had been questionable all game. However, the Lightning were unable to get one past the 35-year-old’s glove until just over halfway into the second period.

Anthony Cirelli skated the puck into the offensive zone, then dished it to a trailing Palat who one-timed the pass through the glove of Halak and into the net. It was Palat’s second goal of the game.

Palat. Again. 2-0 Lightning#NHLBruins #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/0B2OhLdYnh

— BOSHockeyNow (@BOSHockeyNow) August 29, 2020

Then as the Bruins were beginning to gain momentum, forward Nick Ritchie delivered a late hit to Yanni Gourde along the boards. Ritchie was assessed a five-minute major.

Ritchie hits Gourde. Will receive a 5 minute major for boarding.#NHLBruins #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/qEvOz3Z2E7

— BOSHockeyNow (@BOSHockeyNow) August 29, 2020

The Lightning were 0-2 prior to their third power play opportunity. But, five minutes on the man-advantage was just what Tampa needed to extend their lead.

Victor Hedman took a shot at the top of the slot that redirected off Par Lindholm who was attempting to make the block. Instead, the puck bounced off Lindholm’s leg, went over the head of Carlo and Halak, then into the back of the net.

Lightning score on the power play. #NHLBruins #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/Qgu1xKDfPv

— BOSHockeyNow (@BOSHockeyNow) August 29, 2020

But, the Bruins would find some life in the third period. David Pastrnak drew a hold on the Lightning, and the Bruins wound up on the man-advantage.

Within the final seconds of the power play, Ondrej Kase screened Vasilevskiy allowing Jake DeBrusk to shoot five-hole from the hashmarks of the right face-off circle. DeBrusk pulled the Bruins within two goals.

Jake Debrusk gets the Bruins on the board within the final seconds of the power play.#NHLBruins #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/uJm0bZ84sj

— BOSHockeyNow (@BOSHockeyNow) August 29, 2020

Bruce Cassidy pulled Halak in the final two minutes of regulation to give the Bruins the extra attacker, but that would not be enough.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to advance Monday night in Game 5 at 7 PM EST.