Claude Julien and the Boston Bruins have made it through two rounds of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but in order to reach the final round, they'll simply need to put forth a better effort.
Boston allowed three goals in one minute and 25 seconds and surrendered two more goals in the third period, giving the Tampa Bay Lightning a 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night in Boston.
"I think we could've had a better effort," Julien said. "I think overall, as a team, we're definitely going to need to be better and get a better effort. The rust was even on both sides, as far as time off. You don't want to use rust as an excuse." (via WEEI)
The Bruins will not take to the ice on Sunday, but as their debacle in Game 1 has proven, too much time off can be a bad thing. Boston had eight days between games, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-1, on Friday, May 6 to finish off the sweep before hosting Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Boston hosts Tampa Bay for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. EDT.