Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins Game 5: Highlights, final score and more

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins played Game 5 in Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon. Here are the highlights from a thrilling elimination game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning started strong in Game 5, collecting several early scoring chances. The Boston Bruins were outplayed physically in the early going which led to some frustration as Charlie McAvoy took a cross-checking penalty midway through the first. The B’s were able to kill the penalty, which was a good sign given their previous starts.

Despite the Lightning having several early power plays in the period, it was the Bruins special teams who would strike first. David Krejci netted a power play goal in the final minute of the first period to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead.

The two traded scoring chances in the second period until Brayden Point capitalized on a Bruins turnover that tied the game at 1-1.

Disaster struck for the Bruins halfway through the second period. David Backes had to be helped off the ice after a head-to-head collision with J.T. Miller. Minutes later, Patrice Bergeron took a tripping penalty that led to a Miller goal, giving Tampa Bay their first lead of the afternoon.

Tuukka Rask played exceptionally in the third period, keeping the Bruins season alive with several massive saves. Andrei Vasilevskiy provided the same on his end when Charlie McAvoy drove a puck into the net leading to two Pastrnak scoring chances.

With four minutes left in the third period, Pastrnak was tripped, leading to a Bruins power play. They failed to convert, and Anton Stralman would later score an empty net goal to ice this one as the Lightning eliminated the Bruins.

Three Stars

3. Charlie McAvoy

The young Bruins defender showed some of everything this afternoon. He was fantastic in his 26-plus minutes of ice time. He had four blocked shots an assist on Krejci’s goal. There’s no doubt he is going to be a very good player for the Bruins moving forward.

2. Brayden Point

Point continues to spark the Lightning, adding a goal in this one with some fancy stick-work. If Point continues to play as well as he has in Game 2-5, the Lightning will continue to be successful.

1. J.T. Miller

Miller scored the game-winning goal in the second period. He would have scored several more if not for Rask’s stellar play after the second Lightning goal.

Highlights

Next Game

The Lightning awaits the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. The Bruins, unfortunately, will begin their offseason sooner than they would have hoped.

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