Boston understands that having a 3-1 lead in a playoff series doesn’t guarantee victory. They learned this lesson last year when they held the same advantage over the Florida Panthers but ended up losing in seven games.
Now, the tables have turned, and it’s the Panthers who hold a 3-1 lead over Boston. The Bruins have never managed to overcome such a deficit in their long history. With Game 5 set to take place on Tuesday night in Florida, the Panthers have the opportunity to eliminate the Bruins and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Despite the tough situation, Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman remains confident in the team’s abilities. He believes they can bring the series back to Boston for a comeback.
The series has been filled with intense moments, both on and off the ice. Each game has seen significant momentum swings and physical play. Off the ice, there has been plenty of discussion surrounding controversial calls and player interactions.
While Game 1 saw Boston dominate, Game 2 was a different story, with Florida taking control in a penalty-filled third period. The Panthers continued their success in Game 3, despite losing their captain, Brad Marchand, to a hit from Sam Bennett.
In Game 4, Florida staged a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit to secure the win. Once again, Bennett found himself at the center of controversy, with his tying goal drawing scrutiny for potential interference. Marchand’s absence due to injury added another layer of challenge for the Bruins, with his status for Game 5 still uncertain.
When you add everything together, the Panthers are just one win away from reaching the NHL’s final four. Forward Sam Reinhart, who missed part of Game 4 due to a facial injury caused by a teammate’s puck, will be back for Game 5.
Forward Evan Rodrigues emphasized the challenge of elimination games, highlighting the need for the Panthers to match their opponent’s intensity and secure the win.
Game 5 between Florida and Boston kicks off Tuesday’s schedule, followed by Game 4 between Vancouver and Edmonton. The Canucks currently lead the series 2-1 after a 4-3 victory on Sunday.
Tensions are running high in the Vancouver-Edmonton series, particularly after Oilers star Connor McDavid was cross-checked by Vancouver defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Carson Soucy at the end of Sunday’s game. Zadorov received a $5,000 fine for hitting McDavid in the back, while Soucy has been suspended for Game 4 after hitting McDavid in the face.
The Oilers are focused on regrouping and preparing for Game 4, understanding the importance of bouncing back to keep their playoff hopes alive.
In the series, Florida has scored more goals than Boston, with a total of 16 compared to Boston’s 10. They’ve also taken more shots, with 146 compared to Boston’s 79. Florida has had more power-play opportunities, with 21 compared to Boston’s 11, and has been more successful on the power play, scoring six goals compared to Boston’s one.
Boston has committed more penalties, with 29 compared to Florida’s 20. Bruins player David Pastrnak suggested that maybe they need to change their approach with the officials and be more friendly.
Although the Panthers have a good track record of winning playoff games in Boston, they are not eager about the possibility of having to play a Game 6 there. They’re focused on wrapping up the series in Game 5 and are determined to keep pushing forward, as defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson stated.
