3 reasons why the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Boston Bruins

The Tampa Bay Lightning are off to the Eastern Conference Final, and here are 3 reasons why.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were embarrassed by the Columbus Blue Jackets last postseason, as they swept the President’s Trophy-winning Lightning. They clearly learned their lessons from that humiliation, as the Lightning are now back in the Eastern Conference Final for the fourth time in the last six seasons after beating the Boston Bruins in five games.

Tampa beat Boston in a variety of ways. They outworked them, as two of their four wins were one-goal wins. Tampa out-skilled them, especially in Game 3, which they won 7-1. They beat the Bruins at their own game and never backed down.

This is the Tampa Bay Lightning team we thought we’d see in last year’s postseason. Though it’s happening a year later, the Lightning are looking every bit as dangerous as everyone thought they could be. Let’s take a look at three reasons why the Bolts were able to make such quick work of the Bruins.

3. Goaltending

Sure, this seems like a cheap reason. Usually, the team that gets the better goaltending wins in the postseason. But Andrei Vasilevskiy was exceptional against the Bruins. He flat out stole Game 5 for the Lightning, as he stopped 45 of the 47 shots on goal he faced. For the series, Vasilevskiy had a save percentage of .936%, only allowing 10 goals despite seeing over 150 shots on goal.

It appears the hiatus due to the pandemic was a good thing for Vasilevskiy. He got rested and came into the Stanley Cup Playoffs ready to carry the Lightning. Vasilevskiy’s one of the most gifted goalies in the league and he showed it against the Boston Bruins. It’s easy to overlook what he does because Tampa has so many stars, but he’s vital to their success.

If Vasilevskiy can keep playing this well, the Lightning have a great chance of bringing home the Stanley Cup.