Boston is currently the second favorite team to win the Stanley Cup with 5/2 odds, but the Lightning trail closely behind at 7/2.

The Bruins arrived in the playoffs as one of the favorites, but they needed seven games to finish off the pesky Canadiens. Boston actually looked great in the series after losing the opening two games on home ice, however, as it roared to four wins in five games.

Boston kept the momentum going with a four-game sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Bruins avenged last season’s playoff loss to Philly, when they blew a 3-0 series lead. Boston capped off the series in fine fashion, outscoring Philadelphia 10-2 in the final two games.

The club has been carried by Tim Thomas, who will likely win the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie. Thomas has been nothing short of spectacular, going 8-3 and playing every minute of Boston’s playoff run. He has a 2.03 goals-against average, .940 save percentage, and four overtime victories. Thomas has also made 34-plus saves in seven of his eight wins.

Tampa Bay has followed nearly the exact same path. The Lightning needed seven games to polish off the Sidney Crosby-less Pittsburgh Penguins, but quickly turned that into some momentum by crushing the Capitals 4-0 in the next round.

The old veterans are carrying the team. Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier have combined for 11 goals and 25 points so far in the playoffs, while youngster Steven Stamkos has struggled a bit (four goals, six points in 11 games).

The big story, though, is Dwayne Roloson. Tampa Bay has been cursed with weak goaltending since the franchise was established, but Roloson has changed all that. “Rollie the Goalie” is 8-3 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .940 save percentage during the postseason.

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