The Boston Bruins will have the same lineup as Thursday when they take on the Florida Panthers Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.
The Boston Bruins are back on home ice Saturday as they host the Florida Panthers for a 3:30 p.m. puck drop at TD Garden. The matchup marks the final regular-season meeting between the teams.
The Bruins and Panthers last faced off March 26 at Amerant Bank Arena where Boston won 4-3 thanks to a third-period comeback and goals from Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, Trent Frederic and Pavel Zacha.
The B’s are coming off a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday in which they closed out a six-game road trip – and won four games along the way.
The Bruins have been getting consistent production from their top six. Pavel Zacha now has eight points in his last five games, Pastrnak has seven points in his last five games, and Brad Marchand scored Thursday against Carolina for his 400th career goal.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Saturday his team’s lineup will be the same as it was Thursday. That means the new top defensive pair of Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy will stick together. Lindholm, who had four shots against Carolina, seems to be benefiting from a more offensive-minded partner.
“I think it’s more playing with Charlie [McAvoy], probably more O-zone time. I think we’ve asked him to be more direct for a long time – I think maybe the message is getting through and he’s having a little more success,” Montgomery said of Lindholm.
“Just unload. Put the puck at the net. You don’t have to find the next best play, just put the puck at the net.”
Linus Ullmark will get the start against Florida. The goaltender has a 2.57 goals against average and .917 save percentage through 37 games. Ullmark last played Tuesday against the Nashville Predators and posted a 31-save shutout.
Montgomery said they’re still aiming for next Saturday, April 13 against the Pittsburgh Penguins for Pat Maroon to make his Bruins debut.
Bruins projected lineup:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Morgan Geekie
Danton Heinen-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk-Jesper Boqvist-Trent Frederic
James van Riemsdyk-Johnny Beecher-Jakub Lauko
Hampus Lindholm-Charlie McAvoy
Parker Wotherspoon-Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk-Andrew Peeke
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman
Mar 26, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) shoots and scores a goal past Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) in the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY SportsFive things to know about the Panthers:
- Florida is coming off a 6-0 win over the Ottawa Senators Thursday in which it improved to a 48-24-5 record, good for second place in the Atlantic Division with 101 points. The Bruins hold a four-point advantage for first place in the division.
- Forward Carter Verhaeghe (upper body) and defenseman Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) are both sidelined with injuries and will not be in the lineup against Boston.
- Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to get the start in net. The goaltender has a 2.42 GAA and .913 SV% through 55 games. Bobrovsky last played Thursday against Ottawa and posted a 30-save shutout in the win.
- Sam Reinhart leads the Panthers in both goals (53) and points (89). The forward is skating on the first line with Vladimir Tarasenko and Aleksander Barkov, and has a league-leading 27 power play goals.
- Florida’s power play percentage is ranked fifth in the league at 24.9. Its 82.6 penalty kill percentage is ranked seventh in the league.