The roles are reversed in this rematch. The Bruins are the underdog. Can they pull an upset?
Credit: Mar 26, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy shoots and scores a goal past Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY SportsIt’s a rematch, but the context has changed. The Florida Panthers were the plucky No.
As amazing as he was, arguably no player in the first round impacted his team’s performance more than goaltender Jeremy Swayman. He was so good against Toronto that he left Bruins coach Jim Montgomery no choice but to end the even rotation with Linus Ullmark. Swayman posted a .950 SV% in his six starts and came up with multiple season-saving stops in Game 7 Saturday night. Last spring, the Bruins got goalied by Bobrovsky.
A crucial question for Round 2: Is Pastrnak 100 percent healthy? He struggled against the Leafs to the point Montgomery publicly slammed his performance after Game 6, but ‘Pasta’ showed up in a big way to score the overtime winner in Game 7. Against a stacked Florida team, the Bruins need No. 88 at his best.The Panthers do an excellent job smothering opponents.
The Bruins also probably have the most important defensive presence on either team’s blueline in Charlie McAvoy. Not only did they lean on him for 26:51 per game in Round 1, relying on his well-rounded, all-situations game and excellent skating, but he also delivered 34 hits across seven games. His ability to assert himself physically will be vital against the Panthers, the most rugged team in the NHL.
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