In Game 2 of their second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night, the Boston Bruins suffered a humiliating 6-1 loss.
Though the second and third periods were uncompetitive and saw Florida score six goals in a row, Boston went out with a bang. Twelve players were sent off early in the third period, six of them were Bruins: Pat Maroon, Justin Brazeau, Trent Frederic, Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and David Pastrnak. Although Boston’s scoreboard deficit was not helped by its several strikes, it did send a message.
After being challenged, Pastrnak dropped the gloves with Matthew Tkachuk of Florida, which won him some respect in the locker room following the defeat.
As shown on NESN’s postgame footage, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery declared, “These are two teams that are rivals.” We are going to play each other again this year, and we did so in a series last year. Pasta is something I truly feel proud of. Because there are a lot of guys out there that are pressing after whistles and linemen. They just went out and fought, Pasta-Tkachuk. You find that appealing. You enjoy competition in your hockey players.
The message is clear: the Bruins will not back down from a challenge without being willing to fight.
From the beginning until the end, the Bruins and Panthers engaged in intense physical play, totaling 146 hits and 158 penalty minutes. It was by far the wildest period of playoff hockey Boston has experienced to yet, and it may set the stage for what happens in Game 3 on Friday night for both teams.
With the exception of the third period’s last fight-inducing moment, the Bruins were outplayed and outplayed to the point where a comeback was impossible. When it mattered most, the Panthers prevailed.
Pasta and Tkachuk agreed to fight before going at it the next shift! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HOVK6Spfpi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2024
Montgomery continued, “We didn’t have juice tonight,” according to NESN.
As Jeremy Swayman’s scorching postseason run (229 saves,.942 save % in eight games) came to an end, Boston went 0-for-3 on power play opportunities. Swayman was accused of giving up four goals, and Linus Ullmark, who took over in front of Boston’s net in the third period, gave up the last two, which reignited the debate about the Bruins’ netminder.
As shown on NESN’s postgame footage, Pastrnak said, “It was one of those games.” “As I have mentioned, you have to have short memories after these kinds of games as well as after victories in the playoffs. We have to concentrate on Game 3 because we’re returning home.