(Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Lightning try to avoid a fourth straight
setback on Saturday as they continue a tough road trip against the Northeast
Division-leading Boston Bruins.
This game was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, but it was pushed back to
the evening due to a massive snow storm that hit the Boston area overnight on
Friday.
The Lightning had won five straight before losing the finale of a five-game
homestand on Feb. 2 to the New York Rangers. They have since dropped tests in
Philadelphia and New Jersey to fall to 1-3-0 as the visiting team this season.
Each of Tampa Bay's previous three losses had been by a single goal, but the
club was doubled up by the Devils in Thursday's 4-2 defeat. Nate Thompson and
Matt Carle had the goals for the Bolts, with Martin St. Louis helping to set
up both tallies to give him 13 assists on the season.
Anders Lindback was charged for all four goals on 27 shots, but two of those
allowed came late in the third on consecutive 5-on-3 power plays for the
Devils.
St. Louis started the parade on a two-minute tripping call and Adam Hall was
whistled for a hi-stick just 18 seconds later. Tampa Bay head coach Guy
Boucher disagreed and was hit with an abuse of officials call during the
stoppage for Hall's infraction.
"I didn't see any penalties. I didn't see anything," Boucher remarked. "I just
watched the video again. I didn't see anything. I guess I'll have to look at
it another 20 times. I'm not going to comment on any penalties."
The Lightning, who own a two-point edge for the top spot in the Southeast
standings, wrap their swing on Sunday versus the Rangers, but first try to
deal the Bruins just their third setback of the season. Boston has won five of
six and has points in eight of its nine games this season, going 7-1-1 to lead
the Northeast Division by a point over Ottawa.
The Bruins kicked off their division rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens on
Wednesday and logged a 2-1 road win thanks to early third-period goals by
Tyler Seguin and David Krejci. Each also had an assist and Tuukka Rask made 20
saves.
"It's a big rivalry but it feels good to win," said Rask. "I knew they were
going to crash the net a lot, like those in-tight plays. They missed a couple
of times in the first, and they got a lucky goal in the second."
Boston took both games of a quick swing through Canada and will play two of
three at home before embarking on a five-game swing.
The Bruins hope to have some more healthy bodies back by then as Shawn
Thornton (concussion), Daniel Paille (eye) and Brad Marchand (upper body) are
all currently out. Their respective status for Saturday's game are unknown.
The B's have won four straight and seven of their past eight at home versus
the Lightning as well as five of the last seven encounters overall.
The Sports Network