Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins: Game 5 predictions

The Tampa Bay Lightning look to close out their round two series against the Boston Bruins tonight in Tampa Bay. Here’s what to expect from the game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a great position going in to this Game. They have a chance to close out the series at home, in front of the Lightning faithful. Steven Stamkos has woken up from his deep slumber to score a goal in each of the last two games. If he can continue playing well, the Lightning will likely close this series out tonight.

The Boston Bruins need to be better. Their second, third and fourth line need to be better. Tuukka Rask needs to be better. This team can’t afford to start Game 5 down by two goals and relying on their top line to bail them out once again. If that happens in Game 5, they will lose.

They will also look for a little more help from the referees in Game 5, after a Game 4 non-call on Charlie McAvoy ended up resulting in Stamkos’ game-tying goal late in the third. Blaming the referees is not an excuse for losing the game, but it would be nice to see these types of plays called before they lead to a game-changing play.

Here are some predictions for Game 5:

Tuukka Rask will be great

Rask and the Bruins defense have gotten into a bad habit of allowing two early goals in Games 3 and 4. Don’t expect that tonight. The Bruins back-stop will be rock solid in Game 5, allowing the offense to get to work early and often. He has not been great in elimination games, but look for him to turn it around today.

It won’t be easy for the defensive core to adjust after losing Torey Krug to an ankle injury on Friday. He has been the Bruins best offensive defender by far, putting up 12 points in these playoffs before sustaining the ankle injury.

Steven Stamkos is back

Expect big plays from the Lightning’s top player in Game 5. He will give the Boston D all they can halnde in this one, as he is seemingly back from whatever ailment kept him scoreless through the first three games (Not counting that empty-netter in Game 3).

Expect more of this from Stamkos tonight. The Bruins will be doing everything they can to shut him down, but when he is plays healthy, he plays well. Stamkos is one of the league’s best player, expect him to prove it tonight.

The Boston Bruins will win Game 5

This Bruins team is no stranger to adversity. They are comfortable being down, as they have been in games all season long. They led the league in third period play (comebacks and goal differential) and this is just an extension of that.

The Boston Bruins will win Game 5 and take the series back to Boston for a chance at redemption in front of a home crowd that has yet to see a win in this round.

The Bruins will win Game 5 by a score of 5-3. Expect the top line to e busy once again, with goals from David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Adam McQuaid will get involved with his second of the playoffs as well. The Lightning will play well as a team from front to back, but it won’t be enough. The Lightning will see a solid game from Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov but they’ll have to try to close out the series on the road in Game 6.

Next: 10 reasons Stanley Cup Playoffs are better than NBA Playoffs

For more from the NHL playoffs, make sure to follow FanSided and stay tuned to our NHL hub for all the latest news and results.