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Bruins Eliminated From Stanley Cup Playoffs as NHL Fans Hype Panthers vs. Rangers ECF

May 18, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 17: Sam Reinhart #13, Gustav Forsling #42 and Anton Lundell #15 of the Florida Panthers celebrate the third-period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 17: Sam Reinhart #13, Gustav Forsling #42 and Anton Lundell #15 of the Florida Panthers celebrate the third-period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

For the second straight season, the Boston Bruins' season ended with a loss to the Florida Panthers at TD Garden.

Gustav Forsling scored with less than two minutes left in regulation to lead the Panthers to a series-clinching 2-1 victory in Friday night's Game 6.

The Panthers also eliminated the Bruins from the 2023 postseason by winning in Game 7 overtime.

This time Forsling ended the series in six games. He finished the game with five shots, the last of which was enough to eliminate the Bruins.

The Panthers will now advance to face the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final.

The Rangers will have home ice advantage after rallying back from a two-goal third-period deficit Thursday to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.

After making 22 stops against the Bruins in Game 6, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will now face off against Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin in the next round.

Meanwhile Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who was a key reason Boston advanced past the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, finished the loss having turned aside 26 shots.

The Bruins' focus will now turn toward negotiating a new deal with Swayman, who is now a restricted free agent.

The Panthers have the weekend off to celebrate before beginning the battle to return to their second consecutive Stanley Cup Final.

Meanwhile the Rangers are seeking their first Final trip since 2014 as they welcome the Panthers to New York for Wednesday's Game 1. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.

Craig Berube Hired as Maple Leafs HC After Sheldon Keefe Firing

May 17, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Craig Berube of the St. Louis Blues speaks at media availability after practice at Target Field on December 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Craig Berube of the St. Louis Blues speaks at media availability after practice at Target Field on December 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Friday that they have hired Craig Berube as their next coach.

Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff first reported the hire.

Berube will replace Sheldon Keefe, who was fired earlier this month following a first-round playoff exit to the Boston Bruins in seven games.

Berube most recently coached the St. Louis Blues for six seasons, having spent two years with the Philadelphia Flyers before that.

St. Louis lifted the Stanley Cup in 2018-19, Berube's first season at the helm. The Blues lost in the first round in the 2020 and 2021 playoffs, though, and only advanced to the second round in 2021-22. The team missed the postseason altogether the following campaign, and Berube was fired in December after a 13-14-1 start.

The Blues went 30-19-5 under his successor, Drew Bannister, but it wasn't enough to salvage their playoff hopes.

During TNT Sports' coverage of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Paul Bissonnette seemed to know something no one else did when he jokingly threatened to break the news that Berube would be installed in Toronto.

Plenty of fans will see Berube as a great fit for a franchise that has consistently failed to play up to its potential on the biggest stage. The Maple Leafs registered 100-plus points in each of the last three years and only once during that stretch did they advance out of the first round.

The bulk of Toronto's roster is signed through at least 2024-25, with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi the most notable free agents. Especially with captain John Tavares and Mitch Marner due to hit the open market next summer, there may be an added level of urgency to win.

Berube has already shown he can guide a team to the promised land, and perhaps more importantly than that, he has demonstrated his occasionally direct approach with players can yield results. That might be a key distinction given the fact Keefe tried challenging the Leafs players at times, too, to no avail.

Bruins' Brad Marchand Says Trying to Injure Opponents Is 'Part of' NHL Playoffs

May 16, 2024
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 8: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins warms up on the ice prior to the start of the game against the Florida Panthers in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on May 8, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 8: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins warms up on the ice prior to the start of the game against the Florida Panthers in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on May 8, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand has missed the past two games of the series against the Florida Panthers while dealing with an injury inflicted by Sam Bennett, but he said teams trying to injure opponents is just part of the game, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

"People don't want to say it, but part of playoffs is trying to hurt every player on the other team," Marchand said. "The more guys you take out, the more advantage your team has.

"Every time you step on the ice, someone is trying to hurt someone. That's just how it goes in the playoffs. That's part of the benefit of having a physical group. That's why you rarely see teams that are small and skilled go far. Because they get hurt."

Marchand took a shot to the upper body from Panthers' Bennett in Game 3, leaving him off the ice for Games 4 and 5. The Bruins lost Game 4 but staved off elimination by winning Game 5.

Marchand's injury came after he went to check Bennett near the wall and Bennett appeared to throw a punch aimed at Marchand, sending him to the ice and forcing him to miss the next two games.

Bennett denied any ill intent behind the hit, saying he was simply preparing for the impact from Marchand.

"I'm trying to brace myself. There's no way I would have had time to think about punching him in the face like everyone," Bennett said after Game 4.

Marchand recognizes that Bennett, who was not penalized on the play, might have gotten away with the hit, but he holds no bitterness given the circumstances.

"I think he got away with a shot," Marchand said. "But I'm not going to complain. S--t happens. That's part of playoff hockey. I've been on the other side of a lot of plays."

Marchand has notched two points during the series and has recorded three goals and seven assists this postseason. He has not been ruled out for Game 6 on Friday, but coach Jim Montgomery said the left wing has "got boxes to check" before he is given the go-ahead to return to the ice.

Bruins Applauded by NHL Fans After Keeping Season Alive with Game 5 Win vs. Panthers

May 15, 2024
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 14: Goaltender Jeremy Swayman #1 and Pat Maroon #61 of the Boston Bruins celebrate there 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on May 14, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 14: Goaltender Jeremy Swayman #1 and Pat Maroon #61 of the Boston Bruins celebrate there 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on May 14, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins are still alive.

Led by goals from Morgan Geekie and Charlie McAvoy—along with 28 saves from goalie Jeremy Swayman—the Bruins staved off elimination and defeated the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, 2-1.

Sam Reinhart scored the lone goal for Florida, while Sergei Bobrovsky was superb in net despite taking the loss:

The Panthers still hold a 3-2 advantage in the series.

But Tuesday night was all about Boston, and NHL fans and pundits alike were impressed by the resolve the team showed to keep its season alive:

https://twitter.com/PinstripedDiva/status/1790563274913685720
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We might still be playing hockey if it wasn't for one key moment in the waning seconds, however.

Swayman came up with the play of the game, sliding across his crease to deny Reinhart in the final minute, preserving the win and keeping Boston's season on life support:

Boston has had a fascinating postseason. The Bruins got out to a 3-1 series lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, only to lose the next two games. That set up a pivotal Game 7 at home, and the Bruins survived in overtime, winning 2-1.

Now, it's the Bruins who are attempting to even the series after falling in a 3-1 hole. Normally, a home game would bring a level of confidence in that effort, though the Panthers already won both games at TD Garden this series and Boston is just 2-4 at home in the postseason.

But that's the past. All that matters is that Boston's season is alive for at least one more game, with the series resuming on Friday.

Bruins Pushed to Brink of Elimination as Fans Lament 3rd-Period Collapse vs. Panthers

May 13, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 12: Sam Bennett #9 of the Florida Panthers scores in a third-period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 12, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 12: Sam Bennett #9 of the Florida Panthers scores in a third-period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 12, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins wanted to come out with some passion after a fiery Game 3 against the Florida Panthers.

The Bruins were without captain Brad Marchand for the first time in 156 playoff games after he went down with an upper-body injury in Game 3, and players like Trent Frederic promised a response was coming.

That response did come early, but Florida got the crown jewel with a three-goal comeback to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Charlie McAvoy delivered the physical response on the first shift, taking Sam Reinhart down in explosive fashion.

However, a big hit wasn't going to be enough to put a dent in the series deficit.

The Bruins needed to strike first, and a first-period power play gave David Pastrnak a chance to do just that as he unleashed a blistering one-timer to give his team the lead.

Boston would build on the lead before the period ended, with a knuckle puck shot from Brandon Carlo finding its way to the back of the net to make it a 2-0 lead.

Florida was not going to bow down easily, however. This was proven when Anton Lundell fired a shot from the corner boards and beat Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

The Panthers would end the second period trailing by a single goal but would tie-it when Sam Bennett secured a powerplay tally early in the third.

The Bruins would challenge the call but it would stand as a good goal. To say the Bruins fans accepted this ruling graciously would be inaccurate.

Minutes later, Aleksander Barkov gave Florida its first lead of the game with an excellent dangle and snipe.

The Bruins failed to provide much momentum for the remainder of the game, and Florida coasted to the win and now have three opportunities to clinch a return to the conference finals.

Fans took to social media and declared that the Bruins don't have what it takes to get by the Panthers.

The Bruins will now have to attempt to come back from a 3-1 deficit to pull off the upset. That may sound a little familiar.

After a record-setting campaign a season ago, Boston held a 3-1 lead over Florida in the first round. The Panthers would famously win three straight and pull off a stunner before turning that momentum into a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

The chances of that happening for a Bruins team that has managed to get significantly outshot all series seems a bit unlikely. However, historical precedent says it can be done.

To attempt to make that run, Boston will need to first get a win on the road in Sunrise, Florida. That chance will come on Tuesday with puck-drop set for 7 p.m. ET.

Bruins Ripped by NHL Fans as Panthers Take Series Lead with G3 Win in 2024 Playoffs

May 11, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 10: Carter Verhaeghe #23 of the Florida Panthers skates with the puck against Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 10, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 10: Carter Verhaeghe #23 of the Florida Panthers skates with the puck against Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 10, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The raucous Game 3 crowd at TD Garden wasn't enough to get the Boston Bruins' offense going during Friday night's 6-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers now hold a 2-1 Eastern Conference semifinals series lead after a late comeback attempt by the Bruins fell short.

Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk earned a late chance to cut the Bruins' deficit to one goal, but Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made a potentially game-saving stop with 1:37 left in regulation.

Bobrovsky's late heroics continued the Bruins' offensive struggles as they were outshot 33-16 by the Panthers.

https://twitter.com/iancmclaren/status/1789111534666285256

After falling into an early one-goal deficit in the first period, the Bruins struggled to push back while being heavily outshot by the Panthers.

When Mason Lohrei was assessed a double minor penalty toward the end of the second frame, Vladimir Tarasenko and Carter Verhaeghe made the Bruins pay with a pair of power-play goals one minute apart.

The crowd at TD Garden booed the Bruins as they headed off the ice for the third period having recorded eight total shots on goal.

To make things worse, Bruins star Brad Marchand suffered an injury that kept him out of the rest of the game.

https://twitter.com/NBerggg/status/1789099304843461021

After Florida defenseman Brandon Montour scored on a third-period power play following a controversial penalty call, the Bruins' offense finally found some purchase.

Jakub Lauko finally beat Bobrovsky with an extra skater on the ice during a delayed penalty five minutes into the third period.

His goal, the first of his playoff career, was also the team's first shot in over 14 minutes.

DeBrusk cut the Panthers' lead to two with just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation.

The Bruins earned a few chances in the paint during a late power play, but Bobrovsky and Panthers defender Kulikov combined to fend them off.

Florida then added an empty-netter and a late power-play goal to pad the lead.

The Panthers ended the game having gone 4-for-6 on the power play. The Bruins' penalty kill previously allowed just two goals on 33 chances to begin the postseason.

The Bruins will look to even the series at two games apiece when these teams return to TD Garden for Game 4. Puck drop is set for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon Among Finalists for 2023-24 NHL Ted Lindsay Award

May 8, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 22: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 22, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Maple Leafs won 3-2 to even the series at 1-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 22: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 22, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Maple Leafs won 3-2 to even the series at 1-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews, Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon and Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov are finalists for the 2023-24 Ted Lindsay Award, the NHL announced Wednesday.

The Ted Lindsay Award honors the NHL's most outstanding player as voted on by the NHL Players' Association.

Kucherov is seeking his second trophy after claiming the award following the 2018-19 season.

Matthews is also a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy for defensive forwards and the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanlike play.

He also claimed the Ted Lindsay Award after the 2021-22 season.

Matthews already clinched his third career Rocket Richard Trophy after leading the NHL with 69 goals during the 2023-24 season. That's the highest goal total recorded by any NHL player since Mario Lemieux achieved the feat for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-96.

The Toronto star also paced all NHL scorers with 51 goals at even strength as he led the Maple Leafs to finish the season as the highest scoring 5v5 team in the NHL, per Natural Stat Trick.

Kucherov and MacKinnon are also finalists for the 2023-24 Hart Trophy, which honors the most valuable player to their team as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

MacKinnon, a finalist in 2018 and 2019, is up for his first Ted Lindsay Award after becoming the first player in NHL history to record two 19-game point streaks in a single season.

In 82 games he topped the NHL with 405 shots on goal and led the Avalanche with 51 goals and 89 assists for 140 points, just four shy of Kucherov for the most in the league.

The last time Kucherov led the NHL in points, he claimed both the Ted Lindsay and Hart. Now he could be set to repeat as the winner of both awards after pacing all NHL producers with 100 assists and 144 points through 81 games.

Kucherov is now the only player in NHL history other than Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky to record a triple-digit assists total alongside 40 regular-season goals, per Lightning reporter Chris Krenn.

This will mark just the third time in eight seasons the trophy has not been awarded to an Edmonton Oiler. Connor McDavid has claimed the award four times, and Leon Draisaitl once, over the stretch.

The 2023-24 Ted Lindsay Award will be announced June 27 during the NHL Awards show, which is set to take place prior to the 2024 NHL Draft.

Bruins Win Game 1 vs. Panthers as NHL Fans Credit Momentum from Maple Leafs Series

May 7, 2024
SUNRISE, FL - MAY 06: Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) tries to collect the rebound after a save in the second period during game one of the Eastern Conference round 2 playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on Monday, May 6, 2024 at Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - MAY 06: Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) tries to collect the rebound after a save in the second period during game one of the Eastern Conference round 2 playoffs between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on Monday, May 6, 2024 at Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins have a 1-0 lead over the Florida Panthers after winning Game 1 of the second-round series 5-1.

Goalie Jeremy Swayman paved the way for Boston on defense, keeping the net clear for most of the game outside of a second-period goal. On offense, the Bruins got help from Morgan Geekie, Mason Lohrei, Brandon Carlo, Justin Brazeau and Jake DeBrusk, each of whom had goals in the win.

The win comes after Boston's overtime thriller against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the first round. After the Bruins handled Game 1, fans credited the team for carrying their momentum from the win over the weekend.

https://twitter.com/JayLoJL/status/1787671121892143554

The Bruins now have even more momentum on their side with a big Game 1. Boston is seeking revenge after losing to the Panthers in the second round a year ago, and that emotion could have been a factor in the dominant win.

Florida is looking to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for a second consecutive season, but it will need to come back strong in Game 2 to avoid a 2-0 deficit.

The second game of the series takes place Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Bruins' David Pastrnak Exhilarates NHL Fans with OT Goal as Maple Leafs Eliminated

May 5, 2024
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 04: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during overtime to win Game Seven of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 04, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 04: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during overtime to win Game Seven of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 04, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

David Pastrnak is the Boston Bruins' Game 7 hero.

Pastrnak scored in overtime Saturday night to punch the Bruins' ticket to the second round with a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Bruins win the first-round series, 4-3.

Pastrnak had previously been held scoreless in Games 5 and 6 of the series.

His overtime series-winner came after Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery called him out prior to the game.

https://twitter.com/ryanstahl_/status/1786959752402190533

The Bruins have now successfully avoided becoming the first team in NHL, NBA or MLB history to blow a 3-1 series lead in consecutive playoffs.

That result was far from certain as Boston's offense struggled through the first two periods Saturday night.

The enthusiasm in the stands at T.D. Garden was momentarily dampened late in the game, when William Nylander put the Leafs on the board midway through the third period.

It only took one minute and 21 seconds for Boston defenseman Hampus Lindholm to get the crowd back on their feet.

After Lindholm's goal, Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman stood tall to take the Leafs to overtime.

He stopped 27 of 28 shots in regulation, then blocked a potential own goal in the final second of the third period.

This is the second consecutive series in which the Bruins have played a Game 7 overtime.

When the puck dropped for the fourth period, Boston faced the possibility of repeating the results of the 2023 first round, in which the Bruins lost in Game 7 overtime to the Panthers in a very similar series:

Pastrnak chased away the ghosts of series past by being the first player to reach the puck after a Lindholm dump-in caromed off the boards and directly in front of the net.

Leafs fans were frustrated that Pastrnak was able to skate past Leafs players including Toronto star Mitch Marner on his way to chasing critical dump-in.

Toronto's loss continues eight straight years of regular-season success followed by playoff heartbreak.

The Leafs have won just one playoff series in those eight trips to the postseason.

https://twitter.com/bodeyc/status/1786960297976119302

The Bruins only have one day off to celebrate the first-round series win before preparing for their next opponent. Boston will seek redemption against the Panthers when their second-round matchup begins Monday night on the road.

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