Pinch yourself if you’ve heard this before, Boston overtime win against Toronto. The TD Garden in Boston erupted with excitement on Saturday night as the Bruins triumphed over the Maple Leafs in a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory during Game 7. With an electrifying performance that sent Toronto fans home disappointed, Boston secured their spot in the second round, where they face a familiar playoff opponent. That opponent is the Florida Panthers. With just a short two-day break, the Bruins had to quickly regroup before traveling to Florida for what promised to be an intense series opener. And that is what we saw, as Boston emerged victorious with a resounding 5-1 victory over Florida to kick off the series.
David Pastrnak and his Team After Game 7
After a huge Boston overtime win, David Pastrnak and his teammates geared up for an exciting second-round clash against the Atlantic Division title holders, the Florida Panthers. After an unforgettable, historically significant 2022-23 season, it was only natural to anticipate the Boston Bruins playing with an added intensity. Now, they strive to reach the Eastern Conference finals once again, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2019.
Pastrnak didn’t just hear Jim Montgomery’s challenge last Thursday night, he embraced it. After the Bruins suffered two consecutive losses, Montgomery urged Pastrnak to step up his game. As a result, the first-round Stanley Cup playoff series between Boston and Toronto was tied at three games each. When Game 7 at TD Garden reached its most crucial point, Pastrnak emerged as the standout player. In a stunning display of skill, the four-time All-Star scored the winning goal less than two minutes into overtime, propelling the Bruins to the second round of the post-season. Pastrnak’s exceptional performance did not go unnoticed by his teammates, who praised him after the game. Seizing the opportunity, the star right winger used this moment to deliver an inspiring message. He was motivating his fellow players to continue giving their all.
THE JACKET IS SERVED 🍝 #NHLBruins | #BehindTheB pic.twitter.com/7NoTXZveKx
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 5, 2024
A Win in Florida and a Win for Carlo
The Bruins brought all their healthy and injured players to South Florida, except for one who stayed back to be with his newborn son. Brandon Carlo rushed to Amerant Bank Arena just before the game started, having welcomed his son, Crew, with his wife Mayson earlier that Monday morning. Even with little sleep, Carlo, usually known for his defensive play, got a boost from becoming a father. The experienced defenceman scored a crucial goal in the final moments of the second period, taking a cross-ice pass from Charlie Coyle and scoring with a shot off the crossbar from the top of the right circle, increasing Boston’s lead to 3-1.
“So much gratitude to play with you guys”, said Brandon Carlo. “It’s been a crazy 24-hours. Super blessed from game 7 you guys had my back, lets keep building”.
THE JACKET GOES TO DAD.#NHLBruins | #BehindTheB pic.twitter.com/RnaMsXMtvf
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 7, 2024
The Boston Bruins wasted no time in continuing their winning streak after their exhilarating Game 7 overtime triumph against Toronto. They replicated their winning strategy in Game 1 against the Florida Panthers on Monday, securing another victory.
The Boston and Florida Series is a Rivalry Revisited
This series with Boston facing off against Florida brings a new dynamic compared to last year’s playoffs. Unlike before, the Panthers now have home ice advantage after surpassing the Bruins on the final day of the regular season to claim first place in the Atlantic Division. However, this might not necessarily be a disadvantage for the Bruins. In fact, they have shown their prowess on the road, now winning five out of their last six road playoff games. Last season, they delivered impressive victories in Games 3 and 4 against Florida. On the other hand, their playoff record at TD Garden over the past two years stands at 3-5. The Bruins also dominated the Panthers in all four regular-season matchups this season. Out of the four clashes, the third one stood out as the most intense and emotional.
The Panthers pose a tough challenge with their depth, top-tier talent, and stellar goalie. After their surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final last year, they are hungry to return and claim the title. However, the Bruins shouldn’t be underestimated in this matchup. The pressure of the first round is behind them, and this season has already been a success despite initial doubts. While they may still feel some pressure, being the underdog against the Panthers, this has the potential to play out in their favour and serve as a great source of motivation, particularly considering their current lead in the series. With the Bruins one step closer, who will come out on top and advance to the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals?
Main Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
