Originally published Monday, May 23, 2011 at 10:00 PM

Boston Bruins beat Tampa Bay Lightning to take 3-2 lead in East final series | NHL playoffs

The host Boston Bruins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 Monday to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven NHL Eastern Conference final series.

By The Associated Press

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BOSTON — Tim Thomas drifted to the front of the crease to cut down the angle, leaving him out of position when the shot went wide to his right, off the boards and directly to Tampa Bay forward Steve Downie.

The Boston goaltender reached back, swung his stick at the puck and connected with the bottom edge of his blade, knocking it away to protect a one-goal lead Monday. The Bruins went on to a 3-1 decision over the Lightning that left them one victory from their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1990.

"It was just reaction and, you know, desperation," Thomas said after stopping 33 shots — none bigger than Downie's with about 11 minutes left. "I'll admit I got a little bit lucky there."

Thomas bounced back from a Game 4 collapse, and Brad Marchand scored the winner to help give Boston a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final.

The Bruins have a chance to clinch the series Wednesday in Florida.

"Our goal right now is to not play a Game 7," Bruins coach Claude Julien said.

The Lightning needs to win Game 6 to force a decisive game Friday in Boston.

Tampa Bay's Simon Gagne scored at 1:09 of the first period and Nathan Horton tied the score at 4:24 of the second. Marchand connected at 15:56 of the second for the Bruins, who were outshot 34-20.

Lightning goalie Mike Smith made his first playoff start.

Note

• San Jose captain Joe Thornton is expected to play a potential elimination game in Game 5 of the Western Conference final series despite leaving the previous game with an injury.

Thornton was hurt on a shoulder-to-shoulder hit by Raffi Torres in the third period of a 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday that put the Sharks in a 3-1 series hole. Thornton did not return to the game and did not take part in an optional practice Monday, but told coach Todd McLellan he will be ready to play Tuesday's game in Vancouver.

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