Boston Bruins defeat Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-1

The Stanley Cup playoffs are but two weeks away, and the Bruins, some 37 years past their last rhumba with the Cup, appear to be shaping into a formidable postseason contender.

Case in point: Last night's 3-1 dusting off of the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning, who these days are playing for 2009-10 paychecks and possibly the first pick in the June draft (be afraid, John Tavares, be very afraid).

Paced by goals from Blake Wheeler, Zdeno Chara, and Chuck Kobasew - the latter...