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Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after their 3 to 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

 

Boston has pulled in front in the NHL's Eastern Conference final after a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay.  

 

Brad Marchand scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period for Boston and goalie Tim Thomas kept the Lightning at bay with some great goal tending, including what some have dubbed the save of the year.

 

Boston managed just 19 shots on Lightning goaltender Mike Smith as he made his first career playoff start in place of Dwayne Roloson.

 

The Bruins are a win away from the Stanley Cup final with a 3-2 series lead against the Lightning. Game 6 is tomorrow in Tampa Bay.

 

The Vancouver Canucks have a chance to lock up the Western Conference final on home ice.  Vancouver has a 3-1 lead over Aneroid's Patrick Marleau and the San Jose Sharks heading into tonight's game 5.

San Jose coach Todd McLellan says captain Joe Thornton will play in tonight's game for the Sharks despite leaving the previous game with an injury.  Thornton was hurt on a shoulder-to-shoulder check by Raffi Torres in the third period of a 4-2 loss to Vancouver on Sunday.  Thornton, who did not take part in an optional skate yesterday before the Sharks flew to Vancouver, leads San Jose with 17 points this post-season.

 

In other hockey news, hockey fans in Winnipeg will have to wait for an official announcement on the fate of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers. Despite reports from Toronto last week that the Thrashers' deal with True North Sports and Entertainment could be announced in Winnipeg today, that no longer appears likely. 

 

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly says "it's safe to say there will be no announcement on Tuesday.''