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Panthers top Bruins, grab home-ice advantage, behind four-goal third period

By Bryan Lambert, Boston 25 News Staff

Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game Two BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 19: Sam Bennett #9 of the Florida Panthers scores a goal against Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins during the second period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

By Bryan Lambert, Boston 25 News Staff

BOSTON — Although the Bruins and Panthers played an even game through two periods, there is no doubt the game’s final frame belonged to Florida. And now, so does the series’ home-ice advantage.

A litany of Boston turnovers allowed the Panthers to tally five goals on the Bruins’ Vezina-favorite goaltender. The 6-3 loss was only the fourth time this season Ullmark had surrendered four or more goals.

While both teams weathered a scoring drought in the first period, a second period-scoring flurry opened the floodgates.

A failed clear attempt just before the two-minute mark allowed Sam Bennett to squeak the puck past goaltender Linus Ullmark for a 1-0 Florida lead.

Just over 10 minutes later of game action later, Brad Marchand took advantage of a Florida miscue. An errant pass from Anthony Duclair on a Panthers power play gave Marchand a clear path to the net. The 14-year-veteran buried the puck glove side for a short-handed goal- his first in the playoffs since the 2011 Cup Final.

Florida’s Eric Staal briefly put the Panthers back in front after receiving the puck in the middle of the two faceoff zones and beating Ullmark.

Florida’s lead was brief. With a Panther seconds away from bursting out of the penalty box, a Pavel Zacha slapshot glanced off a jostling Tyler Bertuzzi’s skate to knot the game at two goals apiece heading into the final frame.

It wouldn’t take long for Florida to score the game’s final go-ahead goal. A Brandon Montour blast from deep navigated around a goalie screen and into the back of the net just 22 seconds into the third period.

At the 13-minute mark, Florida capitalized on another Boston turnover in their own end. Matthew Tkachuk fed Carter Verhaeghe, gliding down the left side of the ice who lifted the puck past a flailing Ullmark.

Montour added his second goal and the Panthers’ fifth at the 12:30 mark. Another blast from near the blue line parted a sea of black jerseys to give Florida the three-goal lead.

An empty net goal from Eutu Luostarinen put a cap on the victory although Boston’s Taylor Hall lit the lamp with just over a minute remaining.

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

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