Bruins-Panthers Series: Roles Are Reversed in Rematch
The Boston Bruins came into the first-round series with the Florida Panthers last April as a prohibitive favorite in the NHL odds and left with a major disappointment.
This time, the Bruins will face the Panthers as the underdog when they meet in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs that starts on Monday. Florida defeated Tampa Bay in five games while Boston edged Toronto in seven to advance.
The Bruins had 43 points more than Florida in the regular season when they met last April, but blew a 3-1 lead and fell in overtime of Game 7 at home. The Panthers edged Boston by one point for first place in the Atlantic Division in 2023-24.
After battling for Atlantic Division supremacy all season, the @NHLBruins are set to meet against the @FlaPanthers in the #StanleyCup Playoffs for the second straight year.#NHLStats: https://t.co/VwhPrLDoNa pic.twitter.com/w1Ie9ZIujG
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 5, 2024
Despite the close finish, Florida is -180 to win the series in the Las Vegas hockey odds and the Bruins are +160.
Bruins Escape From First Round
Boston players and fans had to exhale after David Pastrnak’s early overtime goal gave them a 2-1 victory over Toronto on Saturday night.
The Bruins don’t have to answer for blowing another 3-1 lead in the series and may come in looser for the matchup against the Panthers, whom they beat all four times in the regular season. They played their best hockey after giving up the first goal in the third period on Saturday.
“We talked about not losing our patience,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery told reporters. “Being above, being behind, being physical and just being relentless with that kind of attitude, that’s why I was really happy to see the maturity of our group.”
Pastrnak was called out by Montgomery after Game 6 and the All-Star responded with a brilliant play to win it for his third goal of the series. Brad Marchand led the Bruins with eight points in the Toronto series and Pastrnak had five.
Pavel Zacha led Boston with five points versus Florida during the regular season when the Bruins won two games in overtime at home and twice in Sunrise, Fla. if you bet online.
Panthers Come Are Well-Rested
Florida has had a week of rest to prepare for another battle against the Bruins, which should give it an advantage for your sport betting with the first two games at home.
The Panthers are the team to beat with a quick-strike offense and a defense that ranked tied for first with Winnipeg in goals against during the regular season. This group is also gaining confidence with playoff success.
The @FlaPanthers are one step closer in their pursuit of their first #StanleyCup after making it to the Final last in 2023. How far will they go this year?#NHLStats: https://t.co/CiwOSSJthT pic.twitter.com/2S1YyzOaTj
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 30, 2024
Carter Verhaeghe scored the overtime goal to beat Boston in Game 7 last season and is off to a great start in the 2023-24 postseason. Verhaeghe has tied the franchise record with a five-game point streak to start the playoffs (Aleksander Barkov 2021, Jason Woolley 1996).
Matthew Tkachuk had 11 points and defenseman Brandon Montour matched him with five goals in the series versus Boston last season.
Under A Good Bet In Series
Both teams made under bettors happy at the sportsbook this season.
The under is 49-36-4 in Boston games, including 5-0-1 in the last six. Despite the over winning the last three Panthers games with Tampa Bay, the under is 51-33-3 in their contests this season.
The defenses are solid, but it comes down to goaltending.
Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky is a Vezina finalist with 36 wins. The Russian had an .896 save percentage in the first round, but made key saves at key moments.
Jeremy Swayman was brilliant for the Bruins with a .950 SP versus Toronto in six games. It would not be a surprise if Linus Ullmark starts Game 1 due to the quick turnaround. Ullmark had a .915 SP in the regular season and is 12-3-1 with a .929 SP in his career versus the Panthers.
Jeremy Swayman (.950 SV%) joined Tim Thomas (.967 SV% in 2011 SCF) as the second @NHLBruins goaltender on record to post a save percentage of at least .950 in a playoff series (min. 6 GP). #StanleyCup #NHLStats: https://t.co/VwhPrLDoNa pic.twitter.com/SWVakmJeQy
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 5, 2024
Questions of the Day
Which team is most likely to post the most shots on goal?
Florida. The Panthers finished second in the league during the regular season (33.7) and Boston was 22nd (29.3).
Which Boston defenseman is most likely to score the most in the series?
Charlie McAvoy. He scored three times against Florida during the regular season.
