Bruins-Canucks: Five thoughts from the second

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By JoeHaggerty
CSNNE.com

VANCOUVERHere are five thoughts from the second period with the Bruins leading the Vancouver Canucks by a 2-1 score after the first 40 minutes at Rogers Arena.

1) Guess us experts have no idea what were talking about, eh? Mark Recchi pops in a tip of a Zdeno Chara shot near the net for a power play goal, and helps the Bruins build up a one-goal lead after two periods of play. Its Recchis first power play goal in 20 playoff games, and it shows what hes capable of bringing to the table when things are going right for him. There have been far too many battles lost in front of the net for Recchi lately, and that goal was a nice change for the 43-year-old. I thought watching the first replay that it was a Tyler Seguin tip that actually scored the goal, but Im sure that will get straightened out one way or the other. Bruins end the Roberto Luongo scoreless streak at 139 minutes and change, and give themselves a shot of confidence in the process.

2) Both Recchi and Milan Lucics goals were scored on battles won in front of the net. Lucic beat Christian Ehrhoff to a loose puck off a Johnny Boychuk blast from the point and kicking things off and running, and energized his whole line. Bruins talked about winning more battles near the net tonight and thats exactly what they did in the second period. Its the recipe for Bs offense against a Vancouver defensemen corps thats not looking to duke it out in front of the net.

3) Tim Thomas did a good job of rebounding from a soft goal in the first period to lock things down in the middle 20 minutes. Ten saves for Thomas in the second period including a huge stop on Jannik Hansen on a cross-ice pass, and then a great defensive play by Zdeno Chara at the end of the period on a wide open net for Jeff Tambellini. Bruins have done a good job protecting things around Thomas.

4) Vancouver belting out 33 hits through the first two periods and leading the Bs by a healthy margin. You have to wonder if the Canucks are playing a macho style of hockey against the Bruins that doesnt really favor them. It definitely bears watching.

5) Ryan Kesler has no shots, one registered hit he's lost eight out of 14 face-offs tonight. Looks like that Johnny Boychuk hit in the corner has caused the Vancouver center to lose a little bit of his steam. Looks like the Canucks are feeling the abuse from the Bs a little bit tonight.

Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com.Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs

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