Need to Know: Bruins vs. Panthers
(Photo Credits: NHL.com)

By: Liz Rizzo | Follow me on Twitter @ pastagrl88

Tonight’s match-up against the league-leading Florida Panthers was set to be as Coach Bruce Cassidy stated: “…a good measure for where our checking games is at this point.” Despite some defensive breakdowns and continued power-play issues, the Bruins came out on top and defeated the Panthers in a solid 4-2 win.

Game Notes

A high-energy first period saw the Panthers on the man-advantage early on when Erik Haula was called for checking against Anthony Duclair. Boston was able to kill the power play however Florida quickly got on the scoreboard when Gustav Forsling beat Linus Ullmark on the glove side, making it 1-0.

With a little under five minutes left to the opening period, Erik Haula would tie the game at one apiece scoring his 18th goal. Taylor Hall made it 2-1 six seconds after the Haula goal beating Sergei Bobrovsky to the puck.

With mere seconds left to the period, the Panthers would draw a penalty when Brandon Carlo was nabbed for slashing. A breakdown in defense, unfortunately, led to Florida tying the game at the end of the period. Sam Reinhart tallied his 32nd goal of the season.

SCORE END OF THE FIRST: BOS-2, FLA-2

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-13, FLA-11

Jake DeBrusk made it 3-2 as the young winger scored off a rebound after an initial shot by Brad Marchand in the first few minutes of the second period. There were chances for the B’s to extend the lead as they drew their first power play of the night but were unable to take advantage. They close out the period with the lead.

SCORE END OF THE SECOND: BOS-3, FLA-2

SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-9, FLA-7

The Bruins had back-to-back penalties in the final period, however, continued their scoreless power-play woes as they were unable to muster any goals during the man-advantage. Gustav Forsling would be nabbed for a delay-of-game penalty (puck over the glass) and Sam Bennett for hooking against Hampus Lindholm.

Boston took a final 4-2 lead when Brad Marchand wristed the puck into a Florida empty net.

END OF GAME SCORE: BOS-4, FLA-2

TOTAL SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS-38, FLA-21

With the win, the Bruins look to grab the top wild-card spot with a possible scenario of a Bruins-Hurricanes match-up. Boston went 0-3 on the power-play. Boston picked up their third win in a row while the Florida Panthers have lost two in a row.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Bruins organization presented some players with the end of Season Awards:

  1. Charlie McAvoy-Eddie Shore Award-given to the player who demonstrates exceptional hustle and determination.
  2. David Pastrnak- Elizabeth Dufresne Trophy-given to the player that exemplified outstanding performance on home ice as determined by the Boston Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
  3. Nick Foligno- John P. Bucyk Award-given to the player who has provided expectational off-ice charitable contributions as chosen by John Bucyk.
  4. David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron were named the Bruins Three Stars which is selected by the 98.5 Sports Hub for top-performance at home games over the course of the season.

NEXT GAME: Boston Bruins versus Buffalo Sabres @ TD Garden with puck drop after 7:00 pm.