Theres No Place Like Home

                                             Bruins 2 - Lightning 1

So much for the let down. The Boston Bruins won their 7th straight game and the first of this mini two game home stand as they were able to ground the Tampa Bay Lightning last night at TD Garden. Many projected a lackluster effort from the B's as the comforts of home would bring down their compete level....pessimists. After a scoreless first period (which saw numerous shots clank off the post), The Lightning and Bruins traded goals early in the second, Eric Brewer and Steven "One Happy" Kampfer notched the tallies. A few scraps and dust ups littered the remainder of the game until Milan Lucic threw a lucky bounce off the referee into a huge pile of bodies in front of the net. How the puck managed to hit the twine is beyond me, but it was good enough for a 2-1 lead.

Couple thoughts from last nights game......

Steven Kampfer was able to light the lamp for the first time in his last 17 games played. The Bruins rookie defenseman has been riding the pine of late but made the best of his opportunity filling in for injured Andrew Ference by providing the B's with the HUGE equalizer only minutes after the Lightning scored.

Rich Peverley and Chris Kelly assisted on the Kampfer goal. The forecheck that they applied prior to the goal, was the reason why the goal was scored. Kelley provided a solid shoulder check to free the puck for Peverley to pass it up the boards to Kampfer on the point. Since the acquisition of these two forwards, the forecheck has been on FIRE. The speed and grit they provide create turnovers in the offensive zone, and in last nights case, lead to goals.

In the days leading up to, and after the Tomas Kaberle trade, all I had been hearing was about how Kaberle doesn't really provide any defensive presence. From what I have seen, he has a strong net front presence. Kaberle has intercepted multiple passes in the slot breaking up numerous chances. Solid Pickup for the Bruins.

Tyler Seguin was a healthy scratch last night. Suprising? Absolutely not. Replacing the young gun with Veteran Daniel Paille was a good move. This kid is too young to be able to handle an 82 game season let alone an intense playoff atmosphere. He needs to take a break from time to time. Paille brings grit and toughness that, quite frankly, Seguin isn't able to provide.

The Bruins are playing physical, in your face hockey. Johnny Boychuk laid two hits last night that were picture perfect. Finally, in front of the net there is some physicality that will make opponents think twice about parking their ass in front of the net.

AND....The Big 'n Toasty from Dunkin Donuts is DISGUSTING.

With this win, the Bruins vault themselves into sole possession of 2nd place in the Eastern Conference with 83 points and are now only 3 points behind Philadelphia. The B's are riding a 7 game winning streak into Saturday's contest with Pittsburgh.

*****UPDATE***** Steven Kampfer, after taking a clean, but brutal, hit in the second period, suffered a mild concussion and will be out for at least 1 week.