The Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers have been the two best teams in the Atlantic Division for the last two seasons.
Now, they are playing in the playoffs once again and it is a great series to watch. Sunday night was game four and the Panthers entered with a 2-1 series lead.
The Bruins needed a big win to tie up the series at home. It started well for them as they took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals scored by David Pastrnak and Brandon Carlo.
The 2-0 lead lasted for a while as they took it in the first period. However, the Panthers eventually got on the board at 14:48 of the second period when Anton Lundell scored a fluky goal.
The Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers had a controversial ending on Sunday
The third period is where the controversy took place. The Panthers had a power play and Sam Bennett scored his second of the playoffs.
He was already public enemy number one because of his cheap shot at Brad Marchand in game three (Boston's captain was out of the lineup for game four). This will make him even more hated in the city of Boston.
Bennett's goal was scored right after he cross-checked Charlie Coyle into goaltender Jeremy Swayman. It is clear watching the replay that Swayman was unable to make the save with Coyle on top of him.
To the surprise of nobody, Boston challenged the goal for goaltender interference. There was a long review but it was eventually upheld as a good goal.
It is hard to overturn a call like that when the call on the ice was goal. It was also hard because a penalty was not originally assessed to Bennett for cross-checking and they can't do that on the review. It is terrible luck for the Bruins.
As is the rules in the NHL, you also get penalized with a bench minor for delay of game when you unsuccessfully challenge. The Panthers went right back on the power play. They didn't score but it helped them carry momentum.
At 7:31 of the third, Sasha Barkov finished off an incredible individual play. The puck looked like it was going to exit the zone but he made a tremendous keep. After that, he walked it right through the middle of the ice and scored the go-ahead goal.
This tally would stand as the winner with the 3-2 final score in favor of Florida. They now have a 3-1 series lead heading back to Florida. They have a chance to end things next time out.
As for the Bruins, their backs are against the wall. They need three straight incredible games against these Panthers to have a chance at winning the series. It is going to be tough.
Florida has played such a great game since being destroyed in game one. After making it to the Stanley Cup Final last year, they know what it takes.
Although Florida has done very well, something isn't right about that Bennett goal that tied things up. You never know how the game goes if that were called differently. When watching the replay, it is clear that Swayman was interfered with.