In a game where the Bruins were hoping to keep fighting and advancing to the next round, they unfortunately lost 2-1 and were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins fought hard, even though they had many rookies and new players, they were able to stick together and keep moving forward. They’re a group of solid, wicked-fast, effective, precise, and efficient players and they’re probably the most well-put-together team that will continue being as incredible and skilled as they’ve always been. I think the only thing they’re missing is old-school fighters, Zdeno Chara being the last one. However, the Boston Bruins have a bright future ahead, as always.
Bruins Lineup:
Marchand – Coyle – Frederic
DeBrusk – Geekie – Pastrnak
Heinen – Zacha – Brazeau
van Riemsdyk – Beecher – Maroon
Lohrei – McAvoy
Lindholm – Carlo
Wotherspoon – Peeke
Swayman
Ullmark
Pavel Zacha opened the scoring late into the first period, 52.8 left on the clock, on a partial breakaway. He scored with a backhand off Jake DeBrusk’s pass for his first NHL playoff goal in his 25th game.
At 7:16 of the second, Anton Lundell tied it 1-1 to get Florida on the board. Lundell enclosed the loose puck off Parker Wotherspoon’s stick, firing it past Jeremy Swayman after Jake DeBrusk had just blocked a shot from Carter Verhaeghe five seconds prior.
After no goals for some time, with only 1:33 on the clock in the final frame, Gustav Forsling scored the game-winning goal. The Bruins struggled to tie it up with such little time remaining. Forsling had scored off a rebound of a shot by Anton Lundell (two points; one goal, one assist) short side on Jeremy Swayman.
Brad Marchand on the loss overall: “Obviously, disappointing. We would have liked and expected a different result. It’s hard losing it in that fashion last minute. It just shows how much of a game of inches it is. They’re a great team, you can’t discredit them at all. We battled hard but we still thought we had more and we expected better.”
Jeremy Swayman on his team and the crowd chanting his name: “This year was an incredible year for not only myself, but everyone on this team – that’s what I’m most proud of; these guys not taking no for an answer,” – “Tears, tears. I couldn’t be more grateful to have a city, to have a home base that’s as supportive as Boston. It means so much more than just fans to me, it’s truly a home for me now. To hear that was above and beyond, and I’m just so grateful for all of the love and support. We wouldn’t be here without them, so that was an incredible moment to be a part of.”
Notes:
– Jeremy Swayman made a total of 26 saves for Boston.
– This had been the second season straight the Bruins were eliminated by the Florida Panthers. Last season, they had lost in overtime in Game 7.
– After missing two games due to a dirty hit by Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand returned to the lineup. Marchand had one shot on goal in 20:06 of ice time.
I can’t wait to see the Bruins back at it next season. They played so well, as usual, but they still always amaze me with their extraordinary talent. However, I am excited to see the actual professional dirty players (New York Rangers) totally pulverize the Florida Panthers.
