Lightning @ Bruins Game 7 Odds and Predictions – Free NHL Picks 5-27-11

Free NHL Playoffs Picks and Odds – Game 7 Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 5/27/11: So it comes down to this, the Tampa Bay Lightning have forced the pivotal game 7 outing and will attempt to make the Stanley Cup Finals for the 2nd time in the last five years. Game 6 was a see-saw affair but in the end the Lightning were the hungrier club and the five goals they notched were all the result of determination and will. They might have the fastest and most talented nucleus in the entire league, their skill set signs in virtually every game they enter into. This nucleus is also under wraps for the next few seasons to come, so game 7 performances in the eastern conference finals might come to be second “fiddle” to this southern bunch. Steven Stamkos is blossoming into one of the best two-way forwards in the entire league and he will be hungry for a win tonight. He is best complemented when he has Lecavalier and St.Louis on his sides due to their agile play and quick puck movement. Coach Boucher will need to reinsert this line tonight in order for optimal opportunity of escaping bean town with a game 7 victory.

The Boston Bruins are no stranger to game 7 affairs, in fact, they lead NHL franchises in all-time game 7 performances. They showed up in west Florida on Wednesday night but were not able to last three full periods as it was quite evident that a fatigue factor settled in late in the third. Tim Thomas did not have a Thomas like outing and he will need to be much sharper tonight to push his club through to the finals. The Bruins will need to come out of the gates quickly in order to prevent the momentum gained in game 6 on the side of the Lightning to grow. Patrice Bergeron will be reinserted to the starting lineup tonight and Boston faithful could not be more thrilled. Bergeron has not only lead the offense for the Bruins in this years Stanley Cup playoffs, but he has also provided one of the loudest physical presences as well.

In game 7 of the eastern conference finals we will recommend a play on the Boston Bruins. The Bruins management have been slowly stock piling assets for the last three years in order to get to this point. Although not said publicly, the Bruins personnel and management knew last year was not the year designed for success. The 2011 campaign was the focal point three years back and now the Bruins are right where they want to be, aside from a game 7 affair against one of the most promising clubs in the league. Boston has four lines that can skate, hit, and score, but also have the mentality to back check and commit to the defensive side of the game. The reasoning behind this selection has no stats nestled into it because stats are thrown out the window when discussing a game 7. Tampa Bay has played spoiler to two strong clubs in this postseason already but there are signs that they do not possess the physicality and mental edge to get to the finals. Often times in this series we have witnessed the young Tampa club take selfish and unnecessary penalties, traits of non-Stanley Cup finals’ clubs. Boston has a great home presence and their fans are next to none in the entire league. Tonight I believe we will see the more gritty Bruins club come out, rather than the fast and reckless bunch. Tim Thomas has the Conn Smythe etchers already putting his name into the trophy as he is having a fantastic postseason campaign. He performs well when the lights are on and the pressure is turned up, I do not see him collapsing in this game 7, winner take-all affair. We will consider the Bruins pushing through with a dominant victory tonight, but their celebration should not last too long as they will need to prepare for the daunting challenge of facing the Canucks. Cheers!

Free Pick: Boston Bruins -155(Moneyline)
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