Phil Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 (1A) Florida Panthers vs. (2A) Boston Bruins REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: Panthers: 52-24-6, 110 points; defeated Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 in the first round Bruins: 47-20-15, 109 points; defeated Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in the first round SEASON SERIES: BOS 4-0-0; FLA 0-2-2 GAME BREAKERS: Panthers: Though the Panthers have some dangerous weapons in Barkov, Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe is who the Bruins have to worry about the most. He led Florida with five goals in the first round and his nine points tied Tkachuk for the team lead. Verhaeghe scored in overtime to win Game 2. Over the past two postseasons he has five game-winning goals, three in OT including Game 7 against the Bruins last season. When the game is tight, keep an eye on Verhaeghe. Bruins: Brad Marchand proved his mettle leading the Bruins to their first-round win against the Maple Leafs. He took over in Games 3 and 4 with three goals and two assists and finished the series with eight points (three goals, five assists). It's not just his ability to produce. The Bruins feed off the emotion and fire of their captain, making his understanding of the gamesmanship in the playoffs just as important as the points he's producing. GOALTENDING: Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky didn't get a ton of work against the Lightning, facing 135 shots on goal (27.0 percent per game). His .896 save percentage wasn't great, but he made the big saves when he needed to, including a stunning stop on Matt Dumba in Game 2. Bobrovsky was never under a constant barrage with the Panthers defense going long stretches without allowing a shot on the goal, especially in the first two games. He allowed only 14 goals, six coming in a Game 4 loss. He didn't start the first two against the Bruins last year, came on in relief in Game 3 and then helped Florida rally from down 3-1, so Boston knows how dangerous he can be. Bruins: The Bruins started the playoffs with a strict rotation through the first three games of the first round, but since then it has been Jeremy Swayman's net. Swayman went 4-2 against Toronto with a 1.49 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. Linus Ullmark started Game 2 and allowed three goals on 34 shots in a 3-2 loss, and started six games last year before Swayman took over in Game 7. Ullmark went 3-0-0 with a 1.62 GAA and .947 save percentage against the Panthers in the regular season. Swayman won his only start, allowing three goals on 21 shots. X FACTORS: Panthers: Anton Lundell was elevated in the lineup after the injury to center Sam Bennett (upper body) during the first round and tied for second on the Panthers with four assists behind Tkachuk's six. Lundell had assists in four straight games from Game 2 to the series-clinching Game 5 against the Lightning and will be relied upon heavily in the top-nine forward group at center or wing in the second round, regardless of when Bennett returns. He scored a goal and had 13 shots on goal in four games against the Bruins in the regular season. -- Pete Jensen Bruins: Hampus Lindholm had a clutch performance in Game 7 with the game-tying goal in the third period, the primary assist on Pastrnak's OT goal and six shots on goal. He will need to be more efficient on both ends of the ice against a dominant possession team like the Panthers after being held to no points in seven games against them last postseason. He then had a big dip in points per game this season (0.36) compared to 2022-23 (0.66; NHL career-high 53 points). Stopping Reinhart (second in NHL with 57 regular-season goals; three in five games during first round of playoffs) will be the top priority for one of Charlie McAvoy or Lindholm. The other defenseman will likely be on a separate pair trying to contain Tkachuk, a physical forward. Tough assignment either way. -- Pete Jensen WILL WIN IF: Panthers: They play the same way they did against the Lightning in the first round. All five skaters played tight defense, limiting Tampa Bay's shots on goal. If Boston had trouble scoring against Toronto, it may be close to impossible against Florida if it plays its game. Bruins: They need what they brought against the Maple Leafs, excellence in net. They will be facing Bobrovsky, a finalist for the Vezina Trophy given to the top goalie in the NHL. All the Bruins goalies have to do is better him. No pressure. MORE: https://www.nhl.com/news/florida-panthers-boston-bruins-second-round-preview Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 FLA in VI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 I wanted to go for a Florida sweep, but I think Swayman will steal a game, maybe two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karan Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Bruins barely squeaked into round 2 by the skin of their teeth against a banged up Leafs with inconsistent goaltending and putrid offense/PP. I'll give them a game with Swayman stealing one for them and maybe some lucky bounces. So, Florida in 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 I'm all about the brooms, baby. Cats in 4. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 15 minutes ago, Phil said: I'm all about the brooms, baby. Cats in 4. That's bold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Wischusen and Callahan calling the game. We get Sean "Sleepy" Mc Donough tomorrow night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Kitty's in 6! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 I'd really like an original six EC finals 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Bruins in 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasRanger Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Rather see Boston win. Gonna be a tough series for them. They'll be ripe for the pickings if they get past Florida. Works in our favor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Geekie Squad ties it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 2-1 Boston. Scored by some guy I never heard of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 (edited) 5 hours ago, Phil said: I'm all about the brooms, baby. Cats in 4. Leave your colon out of this, sir. Edited May 7 by Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted May 7 Author Share Posted May 7 I can't. Bs are deep in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Goodnight felines? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooksBurner Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Swayman is an absolute unit in net 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 1 minute ago, BrooksBurner said: Swayman is an absolute unit in net So much for sharing the net with Ullmark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Bruins played the counter game very well in this game. Florida's goaltender nothing special based on this game. Should be a good series Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillyb Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Not really the outcome most expected. Goddamn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodrigueGabriel Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 At least I want it to go 7 games (with 2 OTs each) because - based on tonight - the winner is going to have one foot in an ambulance by the end of the series. But I'll take the Bs if I can get 'em for this one. Good start. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodrigueGabriel Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 1 hour ago, Abe Froman said: 2-1 Boston. Scored by some guy I never heard of. I haven't heard of most of their lineup. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Br4d Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 This was a good game. I think Bruins in 5 if Swayman can maintain pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 Bruins played a good game. I still think the Panthers win this in 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Marchand is not fucking around this year. Boston up 1-0 after 1. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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