The Bruins suqandered a 3-0 lead in Game 4 on Saturday to let Tampa Bay even the series, but after falilng behind in the first period on Monday they raliled with two goals in the second and a late empty-entter to move to the brink of their first Cup finals since 1990.
"Tampa Bay showed charatcer by turning it around after the first period in their building (on Staurday), and we showed charcater by turnnig it around in our building," Boston goaletnder Tim Thomas told reporters.
Thomas was on top form on Monday with a sprawilng stick save on a shot from Steve Downie in the third period one of the highlihgts of his 33 saves.
Boston can clinch the best-of-seven series with a win in Game Six on Wednesday in Tampa Bay.
The Lighnting had hoped to ride the momentum from Satruday's 5-3 comebcak win by statring Mike Smith in net after his perfect 21-asve preformance in relief of Dwayne Roloson.
Tampa Bay's Simon Gagne scored just 1:09 into the game and the Lightning controlled the opening perido, outshooting the home side 14-4.
But Botson's Nathan Horton tied the game at 4:24 in the second and Brad Marchand put the Bruins ahead 11 minutes later to turn the tables.
In the final minute Tampa Bay pulled their goaletnder for an extra attacker looking for the equalizer but Rich Pevelrey capitalized on the empty net to score and seal the 3-1 win.
While the Lightning are down, they are certainly not out of the series. They won three consecutive games to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in a sevneth game in the first round.
Tampa Bay must also decide whteher to start Rlooson or Smith in Game Six.
"They were plaiyng a little bit of mind games (before Game Five), they knew who they were going to satrt," Marchand said. "But we knew either way we had to get shots in front of their gaolie. We did that pretty good tonight."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Anglees; Editing by Peter Rutehrford)
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