The Bruins fell 2-1 and were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a game where they had high hopes of making it to the next round.
The Bruins persevered and kept pushing forward despite having a large number of rookies and young players. They fought hard. They’re a group of reliable, lightning-fast, accurate, efficient, and effective players, and they’re arguably the best-assembled team that will carry on being as amazing and talented as they always have been. Zdeno Chara is the last of the old-school fighters that I believe they are lacking. The Boston Bruins, like always, have a bright future ahead of them.
Pavel Zacha scored the first goal of the game on a partial breakaway with 52.8 seconds remaining in the first period. On Jake DeBrusk’s assist, he scored with a backhand to score his first NHL playoff goal in his 25th game.
Anton Lundell leveled the score at 1-1 at 7:16 of the second to put Florida ahead. After five seconds, Lundell wrapped the lost puck off Parker Wotherspoon’s stick and sent it past Jeremy Swayman. Five seconds earlier, Jake DeBrusk had stopped a shot from Carter Verhaeghe.
With just 1:33 remaining in the last quarter, Gustav Forsling scored the game-winning goal, after a lengthy stretch without a goal. With so little time left, the Bruins found it difficult to tie the game. Forsling had scored via a shot rebound.
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.”
– 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.
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