Wide World of Women

The Tampa Bay Lightning now have the chance to hand some payback to the Boston Bruins this season. Despite the Bolts finishing first in the Atlantic Division, they lost three of the four meetings with Boston in the regular season, but it was the Bolts' in-state rivals--the Panthers--who defeated the Bruins in regulation on April 8 to give TB the division. The Bolts defeated the New Jersey Devils in five quick games to advance, while the Bruins just finished a seven game thriller over the Toronto Maple Leafs. These two last met in the playoffs back in 2011 East Final, which the Bruins won in seven games en route to winning the Stanley Cup. TB and Boston are pretty evenly match, so a seven game series should be expected, if not inevitable. However, in this go-around, the Bolts will win and advance.

Prediction: Lightning in seven

#1

Bruins 6, Lightning 2

TB's woes against Boston this season continue; Bruins blast Bolts in Game One.

Lightning 4, Bruins 2

Brayden Point lives up to his surname and picks up four points (G & 3 A), leading the Bolts to victory in Game Two.

Lightning 4, Bruins 1

Bolts strike early and hard with three first period goals; take series lead over Boston.

Lightning 4, Bruins 3 (OT)

Dan Girardi puts Boston on the brink of elimination with his game winner 3:18 into OT.

Lightning 3, Bruins 1

Bolts are first to the Final Four this year; their third East Final appearance in four years.