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In Thursday’s Game 3, goaltender Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 2-0 win that gave the Bruins their first lead of the series at two games to one. David Krejci beat Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson with a backhand to put the Bruins in front just 69 seconds into the contest. Rookie Tyler Seguin scored the other goal in the third period.

“That felt like the game we played most of the season,” said Thomas after making 31 saves in his first shutout this postseason. “Playoffs are always more faster and more energy and a few more scoring chances than a regular season game. But that was Boston Bruins hockey. … Getting the first quick goal definitely helped the whole team. And then not just sitting back in the third but going out and getting that second goal made us able to stay relaxed and calm throughout the whole game.”

Krejci agreed the first goal was important. “Our last three games, they scored the first goal,’’ explained Krejci. “We wanted to get the first one, especially on the road to put the pressure on them. I think that’s what happened. It was a big one for us.” The Bruins are 6-0 this postseason when leading after the first period.

After looking so good routing the Bruins in Game 1, the Lightning are now facing an almost must-win game at home in Game 4 on Saturday.