Some people don’t believe in momentum when it comes to the playoffs, but the Florida Panthers bottled that Game 2 tenacity and flew it up to Boston, laying another beating on the Bruins in Game 3.
After starting the series with one powerplay goal in the first two games, the Panthers went 4/6 with the extra man, including a combined four PP points from Tkachuk and Barkov.
Right from the drop of the puck, the Panthers were the stronger, faster and hungrier team.
The Bruins scored two goals in the first ten minutes of the third, making the score a deceiving 4-2, but an empty net goal and the final powerplay marker put this game away for good.
Game 4 is back in Boston on Sunday night.
Complete Team Effort Propel Florida Panthers to Win
The scoresheet for the Florida Panthers is a beautiful picture of depth and superstars working together to win a complete, hard fought road game.
Reinhart and Verhaeghe, who are pillars in this Florida Panthers offense, each had a goal, while Barkov and Tkachuk combined for five assists. On the depth side, Tarasenko scored the second goal and first PP goal of the game, while Evan Rodrigues had two of his own.
Sam Bennett started his first game since Game 2 of the first round, and was a welcomed addition. Bennett had a helper on the first goal of the game. He also added seven hits, including a massive hit on Brad Marchand, who eventually left the game with an upper-body injury.
Similar to Game 2, Bobrovsky didn’t have to do much for the Florida Panthers. He had 15 saves on 17 shots, with the two goals coming in the third period.
Slow Start, Special Teams Gave the Bruins No Chance
In the third period, the Bruins had nine shots and two goals, giving a sliver of hope to themselves and their fans. They were moving the puck well, skating hard, and creating high quality chances. The problem with that is in the first two periods they had 8 shots, and none of them challenged Bobrovsky whatsoever.
We can go over analytics until we’re blue in the face. The bottom line is the Bruins are not starting on time, and they are not engaging in the game until it’s too late.
After beating the Florida Panthers 5-1 in Game 1, they have been outscored 12-3. In Game 2, through two periods, they were outshot 21-12. In Game 3, through two periods, they were outshot 24-8.
David Pastrnak had an assist and three shots, while Jake DeBrusk had a goal and two assists. Other than that, it was crickets from the rest of the lineup. Bad penalties, not to mention bad penalty killing, completely sunk this team.
Brad Marchand left the game at the beginning of the third period, after taking a big hit from Bennett in the first. Depth is already a problem with him in the lineup, but without him, it’s hard to see where their scoring and energy is going to come from.
Swayman Not to Blame
When you look at Jeremy Swayman’s stats over the last two games against the Florida Panthers, it’s not pretty. In Game 3, one stat really jumps out.
Even strength, he saved 19 of 20 shots. On the powerplay, however, he stopped 7 of 11 shots.
Throughout the last two games, the amount of high-danger shots he’s facing is going to cause trouble for any goaltender, no matter the caliber.
He was pulled for the second time in as many nights, but I would still be surprised if he didn’t get the start on Sunday.
The series is still only 2-1, but these two losses have been about the play in front of him.
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