Panthers searching for series lead as playoff scene shifts to Boston
Florida went 3-1 on the road against the Bruins during last year's playoff series
The second round series between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins is changing venues.
Boston earned a two-game split during its stay in South Florida, and now the Panthers will be looking to regain home ice advantage when they hit the ice for Game 3 at TD Garden on Friday night.
Florida bounced back in a big way in Game 2, defeating the Bruins 6-1 on a night where the extracurricular activities, particularly during the third period, left a lasting impression.
“We’re gonna get up there and it’s gonna be crazy,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said. “The building is gonna be rocking, they’re gonna drop the puck, it’s gonna be physical, it’s gonna be fast. It’s the greatest sport on Earth.”
The moves made by Maurice with Florida’s forward lines during Game 2 are another thing being viewed as a big reason why the Cats were able to shift momentum back in their favor.
Considering how well Florida looked after the changes, don’t be surprised to see the same four trios take the ice on Friday.
Although, there is one other thing that could cause some changes.
Should Sam Bennett return from injury – he’s expected to participate in the morning skate – that would create another tough decision for Maurice.
One could argue that Florida’s fourth line, which has been Steven Lorentz centering Nick Cousins and Kyle Okposo, has been the team’s most consistent.
It’s provided a spark of energy when needed and some very strong shifts in the Boston end of the ice.
Bennett returning would knock Anton Lundell down to the third line and Kevin Stenlund to the fourth. Would Steven Lorentz then come out, or would he slide to the wing and take Okposo’s spot?
It’s something Florida’s coaching staff will have to decide when the time comes.
“I would agree that they have been the consistent group,” Maurice said of the fourth line. “It is tough because there is some chemistry there. They’ve been good.”
Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Game 3 against Boston should Bennett get the nod:
Vladimir Tarasenko – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Evan Rodrigues
Nick Cousins – Kevin Stenlund – Kyle Okposo
Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola – Brandon Montour
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Dmitry Kulikov
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUR_usp5vxQ[/embed]
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