The Florida Panthers talked about a real rivalry taking root against the Boston Bruins following last spring’s playoff upset of the NHL’s best (regular season) team.It certainly felt like a rivalry night on Wednesday.Playing in front of another sellout crowd with more than a few Boston rooters in the building, the Panthers and Bruins duked it out from start to finish.
There were several fistfights, significant hits, and dubious smacks.
But in the end, Boston won 3-1 at home against Florida after Florida tied the game halfway through the second half.
With their win, Boston ended Florida’s six-game home winning run.
Although the Panthers were on the attack and leading the Bruins 8-0 early in the game, both teams started the game correctly.
It was a close contest until Boston (14-1-3) got going. Charlie Coyle’s backhander to cap off a 4-on-4 breakaway gave the Bruins the early lead.
Midway through the second, Anton Lundell’s deflection brought Florida (12-6-1) even.
However, goals by Jake DeBrusk and John Beecher allowed the Bruins to lead 3-1 going into the third.
There were many punches and blows during the first phase.
Charlie McAvoy, who had given Ekman-Larsson a heavy hit during their prior meeting, was checked hard into the glass along the backwall by Cousins, who was the first to go after him.
The officials intervened just as the two seemed ready to toss.
Derek Forbort and Jonah Gadjovich sparred in the second.
At the end, Linus Ullmark made 27 saves.
PURPOSE OF THE GAME
Bruins1, Panthers0 (18:35, first 4-on-4): Charlie Coyle breaks free along the boards, moves across the zone, and hits a beautiful backhand shot to beat Sergei Bobrovsky high.
Panthers 1, Bruins 1 (10:33, 2nd): Nick Cousins fired a shot from slightly inside the blue line, and Anton Lundell deflected it past Linus Ullmark despite heavy traffic.
Bruins 2, Panthers 1 (11:14, second): John Beecher played the ball, got Bobrovsky to commit, shot the puck in the goal, and deflected it off a sprawled-out Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Bruins 3, Panthers 1 (14:09, 2nd): The Bruins took their largest lead when Jake DeBrusk hammered in his own rebound.
FHN’S 3 STARS OF THE NIGHT
1. Linus Ullmark, Boston
2. Charlie Coyle, Boston
3. John Beecher, Boston
PANTHERS ON DECK
WINNIPEG JETS @ FLORIDA PANTHERS
- When: Friday, 8 p.m.
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
- TV/Streaming: Bally Sports Florida; ESPN+
- Radio: WAXY 790-AM; WBZT 1230-AM (West Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); WCZR 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
- This season — Winnipeg Leads 1-0: @Winnipeg 6, Florida 4 (Oct. 14); Friday @ Florida
- Last season: Winnipeg won 2-0
- All-time regular season series: Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets lead 53-31-8, 5 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Monday at Ottawa, 7 p.m.
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