NHL conference finals set to begin

Associated Press

BOSTON

The Boston Bruins know what to expect from the Tampa Bay Lightning — three strong offensive forwards and one unusual defensive alignment.

Going seven days without a game gave Bruins coaches plenty of time to prepare for the Eastern Conference finals.

“Every day our head was in the upcoming series,” coach Claude Julien said Friday. “The players are the ones that are given days off and are told to just kind of get away from the rink for a bit and then come back. We have to have things prepared for them.”

The Bruins and Lightning, who have the same regular-season and postseason records, start the best-of-seven series tonight.

By the time the first puck is dropped, Tampa Bay will have gone nine days without a game since it swept the Washington Capitals. Two days later, the Bruins completed their four-game sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers.

SHARKS-CANUCKS

VANCOUVER, British Columbia

The Vancouver Canucks know exactly what San Jose just went through, and they expect to face an even better Sharks squad as a result.

San Jose is coming off a Game 7 victory over Detroit on Thursday night after nearly blowing a 3-0 series lead. Vancouver went through the same thing in the first round against Chicago, and if the Canucks’ reaction to getting past that adversity was any indication, they can expect the Sharks to come out flying when the Western Conference finals open Sunday.

“I’m sure there will be a few more shots, they have some forwards that can put the puck in the net, they are a very skilled team,” said Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo.