On Tuesday evening the Boston Bruins looked to reverse their recent fortunes after dropping both games of a weekend doubleheader against the Capitals and Penguins. The hosting Tampa Bay Lightning were also coming off a weekend loss, when they fell 4-2 to the Hurricanes on Saturday.
To say that things got off to a "hot start" for the home team would undoubtedly be the hockey understatement of the year. Picking up three goals in the first 4:31 of the game, the Bolts effectively ended this game before it even began, as they were able to chase Marty Turco less than five minutes after puck drop.
The first Lightning goal was a questionable one, bouncing off the skate of Tom Pyatt and past Turco to give Tampa a 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the contest. Only thirty seconds later, former Bruin Nate Thompson collected his ninth of the season after a defensive zone collapse by Boston. Former Boston College standout Ryan Shannon would add another when he beat Turco on a breakaway at the tail end of a power-play.
At the 15:38 mark, defenseman Victor Hedman blasted a slapshot past the newly inserted Tim Thomas to kick off the route in Tampa, making it a 4-0 game.
After one period, the Bruins have half as many shots on goal (two) as the Lightning have goals (four). Yikes.