The Tampa Bay Lightning, and their head coach Guy Boucher, made the risky decision to start Mike Smith instead of Dwayne Roloson in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Boston Bruins. So far, however, the move appears to have worked. The Lightning played solid defense and got an early goal from Simon Gagne to lead the Bruins 1-0 after one period to give them the lead on the road at TD Garden.
Lightning Vs. Bruins, Game 5: Gagne Goal, Solid Smith Gives Tampa 1-0 Lead After One Period
Gagne’s goal came at 1:09 of the first period, which is notable because it was the same time at which Patrice Bergeron got his first of two goals in the first period of Game 4 in Tampa Bay. He got a pass from Steven Stamkos and deposited on Tim Thomas to give Tampa a 1-0 lead. It was Gagne’s second in two games and third of the series, on the heels of getting the winner against Boston on Saturday afternoon. Gagne is continuously building a reputation as a killer of the killer B’s.
Smith was solid, but didn’t really need to be spectacular, making only four saves in the opening 20 minutes. The Lightning got three power play chances in the period, missing out on their first two. They will open the second period with a power play of 1:09.
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