BOSTON � A star was born and an NHL playoff series was ratcheted up Tuesday when rookie Tyler Seguin chipped in two goals and two assists in a single period to spark the Boston Bruins to a wild 6-5 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
By Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
Bruins center Tyler Seguin (19) celebrates his second-period goal against the Lightning. He has six points in two playoff games.
By Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
Bruins center Tyler Seguin (19) celebrates his second-period goal against the Lightning. He has six points in two playoff games.
Seguin, a healthy scratch for the first 11 games of the postseason, has three goals and six points during the past two games against Tampa Bay.
"When Segs is skating, holding on to the puck and making plays? That's when he's at his best," said Boston forward Michael Ryder, who had two goals while playing with Seguin.
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GAME REPORT: Bruins 6, Lightning 5
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The best-of-seven series is tied at 1 as it shifts to Tampa for Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Saturday.
"It's definitely tough watching from above (in the press box)," said Seguin, who got the opportunity to play because Patrice Bergeron missed the first two games of the series with a concussion. "I try to take everything in and learn as much as I can. But it's hard sitting there and not being able to help the boys. I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity."
The Bruins' win ended the Lightning's eight-game playoff winning streak. Tampa Bay won the last three games against Pittsburgh, swept Washington and then won the first game against Boston.
"We got away from what we do. They took advantage of that," Lightning forward Martin St. Louis said.
On Seguin's first goal, he dynamically split the defense with a burst of speed and went in alone to beat goalie Dwayne Roloson with a high shot 48 seconds into the second period.
"That first goal he scored showed how quick he is," Boston forward Chris Kelly said. "He had a solid game, not only offensively, but I thought he did a lot of things well tonight defensively."
Tampa Bay center Vinny Lecavalier, who had his own four-point game, was impressed with Seguin's effort.
"He went up the ice, just flying, and that was a nice goal," Lecavalier said. "He's a great skater."
Seguin's four points in a period tied the NHL playoff record held by many players, including three other Bruins. Barry Pederson did it in 1982 against the Buffalo Sabres, followed by Peter McNab in 1982 against Buffalo and by Ken Linseman against the Montreal Canadiens in 1985.
In second period, Boston fans started to chant, "Tyler Seguin. Tyler Seguin. Tyler Seguin."
Boston vs. Tampa Bay
Series tied 1-1
Game 1: Lightning 5, Bruins 2
Game 2: Bruins 6, Lightning 5
May 19: at Tampa Bay, 8 (Versus)
May 21: at Tampa Bay, 1:30 (NBC)
x-May 23: at Boston, 8 (Versus)
x-May 25: at Tampa Bay, 8 (Versus)
x-May 27: at Boston, 8 (Versus)
x-if necessary. All times ET
It was a breakthrough night for other Bruins. Ryder had gone eight games without a goal before his outburst. Tomas Kaberle, blamed for the team's power-play struggles, had two assists, both on power-play goals. It was the first time since March 27 that Boston produced two power-play goals in a game.
Nathan Horton also had a goal and two assists for Boston, while Dennis Seidenberg had two assists.
"We know we have some things to correct," Boston forward Mark Recchi said. "We can still be better."
Despite scoring six goals, the Bruins were holding on at the end after Steven Stamkos (3:47) and Dominic Moore (13:15) scored third-period goals to pull the Lightning within a goal. On Moore's goal, Boston goalie Tim Thomas was trying to make a save with his helmet off.
"He's unbelievable," Boston's David Krejci said. "I know there were five goals (against), but some were lucky. He made some stops in the second period on some breakaways. So, without him, I don't know what would have happened."
The five goals that Boston scored in the second period were the most goals it had scored in a playoff period since the Bruins netted six in a period against the Hartford Whalers in 1991. Lightning coach Guy Boucher pulled Roloson after the second period.
The Bruins had dominated the first period, but found themselves trailing because Adam Hall scored 13 seconds into the first period and St. Louis scored with seven seconds remaining in the period to give Boston a 2-1 lead. Horton had scored Boston's first goal at 13:58 on the power play.
After Seguin's first goal tied the score 2-2, the Bruins picked up goals by Krejci at 2:24 and Seguin at 6:30 to take a 4-2 lead. Lecavalier then scored at 7:48 of the period to make it a one-goal lead.
Then Ryder scored back-to-back goals at 16:16 on the power play and 19:41 at even strength to give Boston a three-goal lead going into the third period.
"Our power play was much better tonight," Recchi said. "There were some great signs there."
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