Bruins stunned 4-3 on OT misplay, Panthers force Game 6 in Florida

Although the ice was tipped in their favor for most of the night and the Bruins’ held a 47-25 edge in shots, a misplayed puck was enough to force Boston to pack their bags for Game 6 in Florida.

With the game tied 3-3 in overtime, Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark turned the puck over deep in Boston’s own end. A bouncing puck found Matthew Tkachuk, who promptly lifted it up and over a scrambling Ullmark for the 4-3 win and to keep Florida’s season alive for at least another game.

For the first time this series, Florida scored in the game’s first period when Carter Verhaege lofted a puck to Anthony Duclair the forward was able to bat into the net past a sprawling Ullmark.

Boston took advantage of any early 2nd-period power play to pull even. A cross-ice feed from Charlie McAvoy set up a Brad Marchand close-up blast. Although Sergei Bobrovsky made the initial save, the Florida goalie couldn’t gain control and Marchand’s second effort was just enough to bully the puck past the goal line for the 1-1 tie.

Sam Bennett’s wrister from the slot put Florida back in front in the closing minutes of the 2nd period.

However, for the second time in as many periods, the Bruins made use of another early power play to pull even. Patrice Bergeron, suiting up the first time this series, was able to get his stick on a Marchand shot and redirect it past Bobrovsky for Boston’s second goal of the night and the future Hall-of-Famer’s 50th career playoff score.

The spontaneous welcome-back party was short-lived when Sam Reinhart scored his own power-play goal less than 60 seconds later.

Just before the 10-minute mark of the third period, Taylor Hall lit the lamp again when he collected a bouncing puck and fired it stick-side past Bobrovsky.

Brad Marchand had an excellent chance at a buzzer-beater but couldn’t beat Bobrovsky on a breakaway chance.

The Bruins and Panthers will take the ice at 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Sunrise, Florida.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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