Fansided

Boston Bruins 2 positives & 3 negatives from Game 3 loss to the Florida Panthers

The Boston Bruins face a 2-1 deficit after a 6-2 Game 3 loss to the Florida Panthers in their second-round series.

By Scott Roche |
May 10, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) (center)
May 10, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) (center) / Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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After gaining a split in Florida in Games 1 and 2, the Boston Bruins returned home Friday night with home-ice advantage, but as we have seen in hockey for years, home-ice advantage means little these days. The Florida Panthers came into the TD Garden and picked up in Game 3 where they left in Game 2, dominating the Black and Gold.

Florida scored six more goals for the second consecutive game and rolled to a 6-2 win that could end being more costly to the Bruins than just on the scoreboard with an injury to Brad Marchand. With that said, here are two positives (yes, believe it or not, there were some) and three negatives after Florida took a 2-1 series lead.

Two Positives

Jeremy Swayman

Yes, that's right, once again, Jeremy Swayman stood on his head to keep Boston in the game. He finished with 27 saves on 32 shots, but once again, none of the goals were his fault. Evan Rodrigues got Florida's scoring started off by batting a puck just under the crossbar for a 1-0 first-period lead.

He made several huge saves, including robbing Rodrigues with a sparkling glove save in the second period and the Bruins still trailing just 1-0 on a 2-on-1. He once again was seeing the puck very well and controlling just about every rebound. He is not the problem and is the reason Boston is in the second round and down just 2-1 in the series.

Jake DeBrusk

If there has been one forward who has been somewhat consistent for the Bruins, it's been Jake DeBrusk. Seriously, he has scored some big goals and contributed with his speed and getting to the front of the net. Friday night, he gave Boston some life midway through the third period with a nice wrist shot to cut the deficit to 4-2.

He had a golden opportunity late in the third with Swayman pulled for the extra skater, but his shot from the top of the crease hit the crossbar and went out of play. He finished with a goal and an assist on Jakub Lauko's goals and six hits.

Three Negatives

Bruins Penalty Kill

I said after Game 2 that one concern the Bruins should have was the Panthers' power play scoring a goal in the third period with the game in hand to get their confidence going on the man advantage. That was the case as Florida scored four power-play goals in Game 3.

Yes, the Bruins haven't helped themselves by taking too many penalties, but down just 1-0 in the second period, a double-minor high-sticking penalty on Mason Lohrei led to power play goals for Vladimir Tarasenko and Carter Verhaeghe. Brandon Montour and Rodrigues added third period power play goals to seal the victory.

Bruins Slow Start

Stop me if you've heard this before, the Bruins had a slow start. That has become an all-too-common theme this postseason against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Panthers. They managed just three shots on the net in the first period and five in the second. They had just two second-period shifts that created any scoring chances. They need a better start in Game 4 or things could get out of hand quickly.

Brad Marchand Injury

If there needs to be any more adversity the Bruins have to play through, but Brad Marchand took a heavy hit from Sam Bennett in the first period, stayed in the game for the rest of the period, and played in the second, but did not come back out for the third with what the team called an upper-body injury.

Following the game, Jim Montgomery did not have an update, to no surprise, and we should find out more on Saturday. If he's lost for any amount of games, it's going create a mountain that might be too high for the Black and Gold to overcome.

The Bruins face a huge Game 4 and will look to win to avoid going back to South Florida down 3-1 and facing elimination. Easier said than done.

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