The Boston Bruins are ready to begin another championship run this season. The team came very close to hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2012 before the Chicago Blackhawks knocked in two goals in the final 76 seconds of Game 6 to win the series. Now their fresh start begins at home with a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Bruins are once again the heavy favorite to contend for a Stanley Cup again this year. It would be their second Stanley Cup in four years if they are successful. They have a strong roster in place with young talent and experienced veterans. Additions of Jarome Iginla and Loui Eriksson on the wing and lines certainly help. They have young defensemen in Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski that will pair with strong goalie Tuukka Rask.
The Bruins are relatively healthy and stayed that way while going 6-1 in the preseason. Head coach Claude Julien is hoping the team is in a good place to begin the long season. After two playoff trips cut short, he believes the team has the right amount of motivation to make a significant run this year.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have postseason dreams if they can pair quality defense with their scoring. Over the past two seasons, Tampa Bay has allowed the most goals to opponents. The team gave up 425 goals in two seasons, something that is a serious concern to head coach Jon Cooper.
The team finished 14th in the Eastern Conference which was deemed a disappointment by all in involved. The team drafted Jonathan Drouin, however he failed to make the final roster. The Lightning called up several players from the American Hockey League in an attempt to replace long-time teammate, Vincent Lecavalier. Tampa Bay has missed the postseason the last five of six years, so there is urgency in 2013.
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