BruinsLightning: 5 thoughts from the first

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By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com

BOSTONHere are five thoughts from the first period with the Bruins and Lightning wrapped in a scoreless tie during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a Stanley Cup Finals date on the line at TD Garden.1)Adam McQuaid wins the award for the Most Nervous Looking Game in Conference Final Game Seven. He had issues keeping his skates early in the period and nearly coughed up a puck with Lightning players close to the Boston net. Luckily Tim Thomas was able to support his defenseman. McQuaid also whiffed on a puck later in the period and looked a little shaky in his 4:52 of ice time.2)Nathan Horton is hurt. It appeared that he collided with Blair Jones as he attempted to hold onto a puck at the blue line in the offensive zone, and then stumbled again as he tried to get on his skates and get toward the bench. He moved very gingerly, didnt return to the ice and left the bench for the dressing room with about seven minutes to go in the period. Michael Ryder moved up in his place during most of the missed shifts.3)Claude Julien mixing things up early and substituting Rich Peverley for Mark Recchi on the Brad MarchandPatrice Bergeron line when it was pretty clear Recchi didnt have his legs. Recchi and Peverley have alternated shifts with that line since then, but its looking more and more like there isnt much left in the 43-year-olds tank after a long and glorious run.4)No penalties in the first 20 minutes of the game despite a physical tone and plenty of intense action on both ends. It looks like the refs have put the whistles away and theyre letting the boys playand that is to the Bruins distinct advantage.5)Fifteen shots on net in the first period for the Bruins. Two things about that: Dwayne Roloson has looked sharp making those 15 saves, and thats more shots than the combined output of the second and third period of Game 6. Rolosons closed pad stop on a Milan Lucic breakaway midway through the first period off a sweet Peverley feathered pass has been the play of the game thus far. Andrew Ference leading the way with three shots on net.Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs

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