Re-Live Bruins-Lightning Game 7 From 2011 Eastern Conference Finals In 25 Mintues [VIDEO]
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Five years ago today, the Boston Bruins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 1-0 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, en route to their first Stanley Cup in 39 years. It was the greatest Game 7 in Bruins franchise history - arguably the greatest Game 7, period - and certainly a game worth re-living. Watch the 25-minute video above for highlights.
The penalty-free contest, which culminated with the only score of the game coming late in regulation off the stick of Nathan Horton, epitomized the Stanley Cup Playoffs' unparalleled tension-and-release dynamics. Anyone who opposes measures to increase scoring in the NHL would point to this game as a textbook example of why a game does not need goals to be riveting; in fact, the lack of scoring helped the game's entertainment value.
The lack of play stoppages and power plays, combined with a constant back-and-forth pace punctuated by plenty of great scoring chances and big saves at both ends, built tension that swelled to enormous levels leading up to Horton's goal. Once the Bruins lit the lamp, the TD Garden (and Bruins fans across the city) exploded into the kind of euphoria that hadn't been felt in decades.
The Bruins still had plenty of work to do to reach the Cup Finals, and it took another grueling seven games to oust the President's Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks. Since they ended up closing the deal and hoisting the Cup for the first time since 1972, the entire journey became the stuff of legend. Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals encapsulated the Bruins' entire run: furious five-on-five pacing, tight defensive battles, clutch scoring from the Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Horton line (how good was that line?), and superlative efforts by Tim Thomas in goal.
Much like the Bruins' incredible comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 playoffs, 2011's Game 7 against Tampa was amazing in its own right with or without a Stanley Cup. But, like any triumphant sports journey, it takes a championship to truly become unforgettable. The Bruins' 2011 Cup run will live on forever, and so will the greatest of all Game 7's.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
