Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 1: Chara’s Bruins Look To Defend Home Ice Against Star-Studded Lightning

While many prognosticators felt early on that the Boston Bruins would be a candidate to challenge for Lord Stanley's Cup this season, not nearly as many thought they'd have to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning in the last round separating them from competing for it. The fifth-seeded Lightning take on the third-seeded Bruins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, tonight at TD Garden in Boston.

The Bruins, of course, will be without Patrice Bergeron, who suffered another concussion in the Game 4 clincher against the Philadelphia Flyers. Head coach Claude Julien updated his status this morning, saying that "[he] went out and had a light skate this morning. That's where he's at right now, just a light skate on his own." It appears that it'll be at least a little while longer before we see one of the Bruins top centers at practice and eventually, in game action.

Tyler Seguin, the 19-year old picked second in last year's entry draft, will step in for Bergeron and play his first Stanley Cup Playoff game tonight. Seguin struggled this season, scoring only 11 goals and 22 points in 74 games. He won't be expected to fully replace Bergeron, though he'll be asked to provide some depth down the middle as the Bruins other centers step up, but Julien said "I'm one of those guys that's very optimistic and confident about Tyler coming in tonight and playing a solid game for us."

Meanwhile, the Lightning will get Simon Gagne back tonight, after missing games 2-4 of Tampa's Eastern Conference Semifinal series with the Washington Capitals when he was knocked to the ice by defenseman Scott Hannan. Head coach Guy Boucher said of his impact on the club, "he's a pressure guy. He's lived it with Team Canada, he's lived it in Philly. He's been in pressure situations in the NHL so many years, and he's come up with big goals. He's one of those guys that's a clutch player. Certainly has and will be playing a huge part in our team."

The Lightning will also look to get their stars - Gagne, along with Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos - away from Bruins behemoth defender Zdeno Chara, though Boucher won't shy them away from him. He said "In the end, your top players have to be able to play against their top players. There will be some matchups. We don't have much control over it here in Boston. Therefore, everybody has to be ready to play against Chara or anybody else."