Game 5 between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers required overtime, and the Cats were able to stave off elimination, sending this series to Game 6.
With that sixth game set to be played tonight, the B’s will need to quickly refocus and attempt to close out this series. It seemed as though they had ironed out the kinks heading into Game 5, but here they are, making another trip to Sunrise.
The Bruins got captain Patrice Bergeron back on Wednesday, and he contributed a goal and a great night in the faceoff circle. While it wasn’t enough to propel his team to a Game 5 victory, a repeat performance in Game 6 would go a long way in helping Boston advance.
Other players that you can expect to chip in for the Bruins on Friday are Brad Marchand and Taylor Hall. Those two have combined for nine goals and 14 points to lead the B’s in this postseason.
Will the Bruins eliminate the Panthers in Game 6?
What Boston desperately needs in Game 6 is a resurgence from David Pastrnak. Through five games, the Bruins’ 113-point man has only two goals. He has not appeared on the scoresheet since Game 3.
The Bruins are 2-0 in games in which he scores and 1-2 in games in which he doesn’t. Without question, Boston needs more from him if they want to advance.
For the Panthers, three things need to go right for them to once again avoid elimination. First, Matthew Tkachuk needs to continue leading the offense. He was electric in the regular season, and he was the one that scored in overtime in Game 5, so he has to continue to be the catalyst.
Second, goaltending has to steal the show. Alex Lyon had his moments in the first two games of the series, but he was ultimately replaced by Sergei Bobrovsky in the third contest.
The two-time Vezina Trophy winner was not great in his first two appearances, but he was solid in Game 5. He’s going to have to play at a Vezina level to get the Panthers to round two.
Finally, the special teams have to be better. Florida’s power play has been half as effective as Boston’s, and the penalty kill is operating under 70 percent. Special teams moments are some of the most pivotal in a game, and the Cats need to win those battles if they want to win Game 6.
Scoring Leaders
Goals
BOS – Taylor Hall (5)
FLA – Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett (3)
Assists
BOS – Dmitry Orlov (5)
FLA – Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe (4)
Points
BOS – Taylor Hall (8)
FLA – Matthew Tkachuk (7)
Friday’s Game 6 in Sunrise will begin at 7:30 PM. The game can be seen on TNT.