The Boston Bruins will look to snap their two-game losing skid against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
The Boston Bruins are set to kick off the first leg of their Florida back-to-back with a matchup against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena. Boston will then face the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s game, however, could mark a significant point in the season: The Bruins can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Tuesday and a Washington Capitals regulation win against the Detroit Red Wings.
The Bruins have played Florida twice so far this season, winning both matchups – 3-2 in overtime on Oct. 30 and 3-1 on Nov. 22.
According to reporters on-site, this is how the Bruins lined up at morning skate:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Jakub Lauko-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic
Johnny Beecher-Jesper Boqvist-Justin Brazeau
James van Riemsdyk
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon-Andrew Peeke
Mason Lohrei-Kevin Shattenkirk
Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark
As the lines indicate, van Riemsdyk will draw out of the lineup for Beecher, while Wotherspoon is returning in place of Lohrei. Swayman will start.
Peeke is set to play in his sixth game in a row since making his Bruins debut on March 14. The trade deadline arrival has been given a solid opportunity to lock in his spot on the third defensive pair.
“We’ve liked what we’ve seen,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told reporters in Florida on Tuesday. “But again, this is another road trip where we’re playing Florida, who obviously is one of the top teams in the league, and then Tampa is playing as one of the top teams in the league the last 15 games. I’m not saying he’s playing in Tampa yet, but tonight’s another test for him to show us what he has and his mettle and how he plays in tough environments.”
Peeke, who is from Parkland, Florida, is excited to face his hometown team with his new squad. Given the timing of the season and what the Bruins have at stake compared to the Columbus Blue Jackets during Peeke’s time there, it brings a whole new set of emotions.
“I haven’t had a scenario like this in my pro career yet,” Peeke told reporters in Florida. “Playing at this time of the year when you’re fighting for points, fighting for – obviously for us and Panthers – fighting for that first seed in the division, and that’s really important.”
The Bruins have lost two straight games entering Tuesday, and after an emotionally charged Montgomery sent a strong message to his team during practice on Monday, their response against the Panthers will say a lot about the make-up of the team.
Montgomery said he liked how the team ended practice on Monday as well as the execution during Tuesday’s morning skate, but he’s reserving all judgment until the game.
“[We need to] consistently know who we are individually to help the Bruins have success as a team,” Montgomery said. “And who’s going to be able to raise their level of play against desperate teams.
Five Things to Know About the Panthers:
- The Panthers (46-20-5) are tied with the Bruins (41-16-15) atop the Atlantic Division with 97 points apiece, but Florida has a game in hand.
- Forward Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and defenseman Gustav Forsling (illness) have missed the last three and two games, respectively, but both will return to Florida’s lineup on Tuesday.
- Sam Reinhart leads the team with 83 points in 71 games. His 50 goals are tied for second in the NHL with Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman. Only Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews has more (58).
- The Panthers have the top-ranked scoring defense (2.41 goals allowed per game) and 12th-ranked scoring offense (3.23 goals per game).
- Florida ranks in the top seven across in both the power play (26.2 percent; fourth) and penalty kill (81.9 percent; tied-seventh).
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