Tim Thomas Stick Save vs. Lightning, 2011
If anyone embodied the 2011 Bruins, it was Tim Thomas. And if any singular play embodied Tim Thomas as the Boston Bruins goaltender, it was this save against Tampa Bay in 2011.
With the series close and the game even closer, Thomas robbed Steve Downie of a game-tying goal when the net was wide open.
Stopping the puck with only his stick, Thomas was able to sprawl across his body and prevent Downie from redirecting the shot. To this day, it goes down in history as one of the signature moments of that Bruins championship and Thomas’ Conn Smythe trophy campaign.
Unfortunately, Tim Thomas was never able to return to glory for the Bruins beyond the 2011 season. However, his postseason résumé and legacy were forever sealed with that postseason performance. Thankfully we will always be able to relive this unbelievable save. Who knows, maybe Tuukka Rask will give Bruins fans a similar memory for 2020.