Bruins - Bolts: Game 3 Preview

The Boston Bruins are on the road tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The B's were one game away from reaching this stage last year, when something happened, no one really remembers.... But this year, they beat the Canadiens in 7 games, swept the Flyers, and are knotted up at 1 game apiece with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

19-year-old rookie Tyler Seguin came out banging on all cylinders the first two games so far. He has five points in the series, including two goals in the last tilt. Nathan Horton chalked up three points of his own in the 6-5 Bruins victory. Was it Tim Thomas' best game? Not even close. At times, he looked confused, with little to no help from his defense. The penalty-kill lines looked like they were formed by the equipment managers and a few fans, and need to be able to lock down the dangerous power play of Tampa Bay.

The Lightning may be the fastest team in the league this year, and are a serious threat to the livelihood of Boston. Stamkos, Lecavalier, and St. Louis are three snipers who know how to score against Thomas. Hopefully Claude Julien whipped the shoddy defense into shape yesterday, otherwise we could be in trouble.

Final score: 4-2, Lightning. The Bruins have the advantage of home-ice for Game 7, and I think it'll take all seven of those games for a winner. Tough loss tonight, but nothing the Bruins can't come back from.

Go B's

Do the Sharks Have a Chance?

No. This fight says it all. The San Jose Sharks are a good team, there is no doubt about it. They handled the Bruins 2-0 in February, one of the most frustrating games to watch (even though there are so many to pick from over the course of the '10-'11 B's season.)

When they reach the third period, the Sharks fall apart like the Yankees in the '04 ALCS. Between that and the dominance of the Vezina Trophy-candidate Roberto Luongo between the pipes for the Vancouver Canucks, the Sharks look like they're done.

Look Who's Back

I'm aware this is about the 4th time I've had a post stating that we're back in action, but school's out, and we don't have much else to do.

For those of you who missed the celebrity birthday updates, funny videos, Sox and Bruins features, or wrestling promos (nevermind the dozens of other pieces we serve up daily,) dry your tears and keep scrolling up the page.

I'm living in Boston working at Fenway Park this summer, and Ben is back in Maine, currently hunting down a job since he graduated less than a week ago, so follow us in our journey to greatness.

Pats Dominate

Yikes. Although I was confident going into last nights game against the boys from New Jersey, I didn't see a 42 point victory on the horizon. From the beginning of the first quarter it was all over. Trailing 3-0, the Jets attempted a 53 yard field goal, and Nick Folk shanked yet another huge kick for NY. They wouldn't get another chance to catch the Pats, or score any points for that matter.

Tom was almost perfect for the second week in a row, throwing for over 300 yards and 4 TDs on 21-29 passing. The law firm of BenJarvus Green-Ellis had another solid game, adding 72 yards and a couple scores. Brady was able to spread the ball around effortlessly to all of his receivers, shredding the Jets highly touted D like fresh mozzarella.

What I think was most important about this win was the complete evolution that the defense has undergone with the additions of all the rookies and second year players. The secondary is playing with unheralded confidence while the linebackers, led by Jerod Mayo have been consistently controlling the middle of the field. Mark "Franchise" Sanchez looked flustered at all times and ended the game with a laughable 27.8 passer rating. The Pats now find themselves in the driver's seat for the AFC East and the AFC's best record. Next stop on the Belichick express? Chicago. All aboard.
Q Man

Bruins live blog!

Observations while waiting in line for beer at the first intermission: Savard looks hungry. Krejci had a sick goal early into the period, and dennis seidenberg's wrister made it 2-0 bruins going into the break. Updates to come.
Second intermission: lucic and shawnie thornton made it 4 to 1 and that's where we sit. Tank thomas looks solid.
3rd period: 7 to 1. Utter domination. Nuff said.

Pierce, Celtics Smoke the Blazers

Paul Pierce had one of his best games this season, scoring 28 points on 9-11 shooting from the field, but his best work came with seconds to spare, dishing the rock to Jesus "Ray Allen" Shuttlesworth for the clutch 3 bomb. Ray was ice cold all game, but when the game was on the line, the Truth knew who had to take the shot.

This kind of chemistry between the players has been carefully crafted, much like how a raw diamond is turned into a beautiful stone on a wedding band. Trust between the Big Three has grown since they were put on the same team in 07. Unselfish play like this is what makes this Big Three actually work together, play that has been M.I.A. in South Beach this season.

Glen Davis chipped in for 16 points off the bench in another solid effort, he looks to be well on his way to Celtics 6th man of the year. The Celtics look to tame the always feisty Bulls at the Garden tomorrow, and after a stroll through New Jersey, will welcome 'Melo and the Nuggz to Boston for what should be an exciting contest.

In other news, look for the first 7dayweekend live blog from the Garden tonight, where the Bruins look to exact some revenge on Steven Stamkos and the Lightning. The Q Man will be blogging, thanks to the droid, in section 318.

Q Man

Birthday Shout-Out(s)

Bought that time again. Not a huge crew today, but quality's better than quantity. Happy birthday, everyone.

Brandon Knight
Aaron Rodgers
Matt Ware
Britney Spears
Nelly Furtado
Jan Ullrich
Monica Seles
Treach
Lucy Liu
Darryl Kile, d. 2002