The Panthers attempt to even up the second round in Game 2 against the Bruins on Wednesday night. The puck drops at 7:30 pm EST.
Heading into the series, it was the age-old debate of a classic “Would you rather”. Would you rather be well-rested after a week off, or play 48 hours after a Game 7?
Well, this time, they both played 48 hours ago, and the Panthers find themselves down a game in the series. They’re the better offensive team, defensive team and the more physical team. But after Swayman’s performance the other night, not to mention in Round 1, if they’re not the better goaltending team, they might be in more trouble than we thought.
Swayman Shuts Down the Panthers in Game 1
In the first five minutes of the hockey game, you could tell who was waiting at home for a week. The Panthers had five shots before the Bruins had one and scored the first goal of the game halfway through the second period.
If we learned anything in the Bruins’ opening round of the playoffs, it was the fact that Swayman will keep his team in it long enough for his team to take advantage of their opportunities.
With three goals in the last ten minutes of the second period, the Bruins did just that. Morgan Geekie tied the game up at 12:52, and Lohrei snipped a beauty under the crossbar at 16:17, which was the eventual game-winner.
The Panthers pushed hard in the third and finished the game with 39 shots. Push all you want, if you can’t get a save, and the other team can, you have no chance. That’s exactly how this game played out.
Jeremy Swayman, statistically at least, has been the best goaltender in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Through seven games he is 5-2, with a 1.42 GAA and a .955 SV%. Without him, the Bruins wouldn’t be playing this week. Most media types, and even most sportsbooks gave the Panthers the series without a game being played.
The Panthers are a very good hockey team, but if they can’t solve the problem of Swayman, this series might end differently than we all thought.
All Eyes on Bobrovsky in Game 2
On paper, there’s no question who the deeper team is. In the regular season, the Panthers had four players with more than 70 points. The Bruins had one. Defensively, the Panthers had five players with a plus/minus higher than +20, with the lowest of those five being +26. The Bruins had two, with the highest being +23.
The Panthers are faster and tougher, and at first look, it makes sense why they were massive favorites heading into this series.
This is why we play the games, and it’s pretty crazy how quickly the narrative can change. On Wednesday the narrative has shifted to the goaltending, and all eyes are on Sergei Bobrovsky.
Generally speaking, the Panthers played a pretty good game. They were physical and put a ton of pucks on net. The special teams were a non-factor as both teams went a combined 0/5 on the powerplay.
Down 3-1 going into the third, they came out flying and finished the period with 16 shots and 39 overall. However, this is what it all boils down to, they couldn’t get the big save when they needed it the most. With how well Swayman is playing, would it have mattered? Maybe not, but you have to give your team a chance.
Bobrovsky stopped 24/28 shots, and you could argue he should’ve stopped all four shots he let through. In Game 2, he has to be the Vezina candidate he has been all season.
What to Expect in Game 2
After being out since Game 2 of Round 1 due to a hand injury, Sam Bennett is nearing his return for the Florida Panthers. He joined the team for the first time since the injury on Tuesday and is considered day-to-day. His return would be a huge boost for the Panthers.
As previously stated, goaltending has become the big story in this series.
The Bruins will be business as usual. Swayman will keep his team in the game, and they will wait for their opportunity to pounce.
Even with their five-goal outburst on Monday, Pastrnak and Marchand were held to a combined 2 assists and 6 shots. Boston got the win, so they’ll take it, but they’ll be looking to those two for more offensive production.
For the Panthers, Reinhart and Tkachuck were all over the ice with 11 shots and 8 hits combined. Nothing drastically needs to change in their game, Bobrovsky just needs to be the best goalie on the ice.
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