In reference to the thread title, it actually came easier than I expected. Yes the final minutes were tense, but the Bruins were comfortably the better team, and it took a couple of lucky deflections and some horrendous empty net shooting to keep Tampa in the game.
Great work and hustle by the whole team. All the centers were just dominant, both on faceoffs and in general play, and helped the Bruins dictate large portions of the contest. This was Marchand's best game in the bubble, Bergy was very good, Krej and Coyle brought it again, Pasta is still heating up but still had a real impact. 4th line set the tone and made Tampa feel their hits. D was mostly fine. McAvoy played like the first-rate defender he now is, Cliffy and Gryz continue to be a good, very active pairing, Krug was involved. Carlo still feels a bit off but is gradually improving. Probably not Chara's best game, just fumbled the puck a bit, but I'm not too worried about it.
Halak was excellent. All the raving pre-game was over Vasilevskiy, who played fine, but Halak was better. Calm, tracked the puck well, and his glove work was very good.
What does Tampa bring next game? They have to work a lot harder for a start, and not get so beat up in the neutral zone, and they have to be less content to just sit on the outside, which is usually something we're critical of the Bs for. I feel like putting bodies to the net is still a potential weakness for Boston in its own zone, and the Bolts eventually saw that with two weak, if fortunate goals. Bs need to be wary of a response next game.
But a great start, really fun team effort. On to the next one!