Thomas, Bruins looking for defensive turnaround

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TAMPAThe Bruins get right back on the horse with the second-half of their Florida trip when they face off against Tampa Bay Lightning at the newly renamed Tampa Times Forum on Tuesday night. Things were much different for both teams the last time they met when the Bruins toppled the Bolts in overtime of a 1-0 instant classic win during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

It appears that seven-game playoff series didnt inspire the hockey hatred that could spark a rivalry as the players were going through an optional morning skate that featured a big game of hallway soccer.

The nice weather? was Dennis Seidenbergs response when asked what he remembered about last years playoff series. A lot has happened to us since then.

The Bruins went on to win the Cup, of course, and the Lightning have fallen on hard times with goaltending issues and defensive woes. The Bruins are an NHL-best plus-70 in goal differential while Tampa Bay sits dead last in the Eastern Conference with a minus-35 markso the name of the game for Boston will be minimizing defensive mistakes and keeping the
high-powered Lightning off the power play.

Weve got to be careful we dont consider ourselves in a slump. Weve slipped a little bit, but our standards are pretty high, said Claude Julien. For a lot of players the compete level was better, but for others we expect it be a little better. You have to respect the offensive part of Tampas game. We have to make sure were ready to play a solid defensive game like in the past. Its what has given us our identity.

Tim Thomas will get the start for the Bruins in goal and once again Rich Peverley will miss his second straight game with personal matters. Hes still expected to meet up with the Bruins in New Jersey and be in the lineup when Boston takes on the Devils at the Prudential Center Thursday night.

Here is the expected lineup:

Pouliot-Bergeron-Seguin
Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Caron-Kelly-Hamill
Paille-Campbell-Thornton

Chara-Boychuk
Seidenberg-McQuaid
Ference-Corvo

Thomas
Rask

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