An emerging rivalry is certain to receive further impetus. The Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins will square off at Amerant Bank Arena on Wednesday in a nationally broadcast game between the top two clubs in the prestigious Atlantic Division.The Bruins, who just won the Presidents’ Trophy, are now leading the division at 13-1-3. The Panthers, who have won six straight games at home, are just behind them at 12-5-1.
The Bruins, who were defeated by the Panthers in the first round of last year’s playoffs, have already faced off against each other this season. On October 30, they overcame a 3-2 deficit in overtime at TD Garden.
Paul Maurice thinks the rivalry is barely beginning given where both teams are at.
After this morning’s skate in Sunrise, the head coach of the Panthers stated, “I think based on the age of teams and the drivers, this is going to be a real good rivalry for five or six years for both teams.” “Boston has historically been a fantastic team. Our goal is to reach that degree. However, our team’s drivers are between 27 and 28 years old, so this will be an excellent one for some time.
Matthew Tkachuk anticipates that the Bruins will bring out the best in the Panthers, as always.
Tkachuk, whose ascent to playoff hero status started with multiple huge goals against Boston, stated, “We’re playing against a stingy team that’s playing some unreal hockey again this year.” It should make for a close, low-scoring game that is highly enjoyable. We’re thrilled about the chance.
The Panthers, who have won seven of their previous eight games, defeated the Oilers 5-3 on Monday to start their three-game homestand. Carter Verhaeghe and Niko Mikkola responded to cut the deficit to 2-2 right before the first intermission, after the team had fallen behind 2-0 only nine minutes into the game.
The Panthers scored the next three goals after Edmonton’s Connor McDavid converted a penalty shot in the second period. Just 1:08 after McDavid’s game-winning goal, Mikkola knotted the score at 3-3. Kevin Stenlund then scored the game-winning goal to make it 4-3.
Sam Bennett’s empty-netter in the third period put a bow on the rally, making the score 5-3.
Mikkola, who recorded his first career multi-goal game, responded, “Work ethic,” when questioned about Florida’s early-season success. “Everyone supports and aids one another. It’s the primary factor. We concentrate on our own game and I believe we have a really good game plan for each game.
The Panthers will once again resort to Sergei Bobrovsky in goal after he stopped 26 of 29 shots against Edmonton. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has had remarkable success over his previous seven games, going 6-1-0 with a.908 save percentage and one shutout.
Sam Reinhart leads the Panthers in goals (13) and points (25), becoming the fastest skater in franchise history to reach 25 points in a season. Verhaeghe is ranked second in goals (8) and third in points (15), while Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov are tied for second place with 17 points apiece.
Sergei Bobrovsky will start in goal for the Panthers once more after he turned away 26 of 29 shots against Edmonton. Over his last seven games, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner has had incredible success, going 6-1-0 with a.908 save percentage and one shutout.
As the Panthers’ top scorer with 13 goals and 25 points, Sam Reinhart has become the team’s fastest skater to ever achieve 25 points in a season. Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov are tied for second place with 17 points apiece, while Verhaeghe is rated third in points (15) and second in goals (8).
After suffering a lower-body injury in a knee-on-knee collision during a 2-1 victory in Anaheim on November 17, Barkov sat out the victory over the Oilers and won’t be starting against the Bruins. The captain has started skating, which is fantastic news because he might make a comeback for Friday’s game against Winnipeg.
Maurice declared, “If he goes back in, he’ll go back in at 100%.”
Barkov missed the 2-1 victory over the Oilers on November 17 due to a lower-body injury he sustained in a knee-on-knee collision, and he won’t be starting against the Bruins. It’s exciting news that the captain has begun skating since it may mean he returns for Friday’s game against Winnipeg.
“If he goes back in, he’ll go back in at 100%,” stated Maurice.
David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring and is tied for second in the NHL with 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists), riding a seven-game point streak. Charlie Coyle is in third place with 15 points (six goals, nine assists), and Brad Marchand is in second place with 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists).
Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have almost shared time between the pipes for Boston. Both goalies have played quite well thus far. Ullmark is currently 6-1-1 with a.928 save percentage, while Swayman, who suffered the setback in Tampa, is 7-0-2 with a.933 save percentage.”They’re a very deep team, but they have Pastrnak lighting it up like he always does,” Tkachuk remarked. “They kicked our [butt] in Games 3 and 4 [of the playoffs] last year with those guys out of the lineup. They’re more than capable to do what they’ve been doing this year. They’ve shown it.” Naturally, those games were the last the Panthers would lose; they rallied to win three straight and even the series after falling behind 3-1.
QUOTES FOR PREGAME
“I’m not sure how much of the current standings are on everyone’s mind. Our connection would be more focused on the playoffs from the previous year. That will give the game its full energy. Paul Maurice on the significance of the game tonight
“We had a great series against them last year, and I believe that rivalries are only formed during the playoffs.” Although I don’t think a single series can define a rivalry, we’re currently in the thick of things in the standings, so this should be an exciting game. I’m sure we’re thrilled. – Matthew Tkachuk regarding the escalating animosity between the Bruins and PanthersExtremely significant. That’s how you create. With odd-man rushes and chances, each play requires one D up. That has significant implications for our structure. We’ll make an effort to continue in that manner. – Niko Mikkola regarding defenseman joining the Panthers’ rush
QUALIFIED CATS STATS
– With an average of 33.8 shots per game, the Panthers are ranked seventh in the NHL.
– With five power-play goals and three game-winning goals, Sam Reinhart leads Florida.
– In his last nine games, Carter Verhaeghe has scored 11 points (5G, 6A).
With 40 blocked shots, Niko Mikkola is the Panthers’ top blocker.
– This season, the Panthers are 5-0-0 when Kevin Stenlund finds the net.
ESTIMATED LINEUP – POSSIBLE TO CHANGE
Moving Forward
Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell, and Eetu Luostarinen
Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Carter Verhaeghe
Nick Cousins, Kevin Stenlund, and Evan Rodrigues
Ryan Lomberg, Steven Lorentz, and Jonah Gadjovich
defenders
Forsling, Gustav – Aaron Ekblad
Brandon Montour – Niko Mikkola
Larsson, Oliver-Ekman – Dmitry Kulikov
Netminders
Bobrovsky, Sergei
Anthony Stolarz
CURRENT TRADES
– November 17: F Recalling Jonah Gadjovich from his AHL conditioning assignment
– November 17: D Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad were activated from injured reserve.
– Nov. 13: Charlotte received a loan from F William Lockwood (AHL)
WAYS TO VIEW
When: Nov. 22, Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Sunrise, Florida’s Amerant Bank Arena
TNT for TV and streaming
Radio: 790 WAXY (Dade/Broward); 92.1 WZZR (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); 101.7 WCZR (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM App & Streaming 932; Panthers App
Leave a Reply