Boston leads best-of-7 series after convincing 4-2 win in Game 3
Boston leads best-of-7 series after convincing 4-2 win in Game 3
It may not an elimination game, but it’s pretty darn close.
The Florida Panthers are preparing to host Game 4 of their opening round playoff series with the league-best Boston Bruins knowing sure well that a win on Sunday afternoon is paramount if they’re going to pull off the upset.
Boston’s 4-2 win in Game 3 was not as close as the score makes it seem.
Coming off a Game 2 in which the Panthers played a commanding third period in the Bruins’ building, Boston came out on Friday and showed why they were a historically good team this season.
A dominant second period by the visiting Bruins was a stark reminder of just how dangerous the team can be when playing to their strengths.
It will be up to the Panthers to keep that from happening in Game 4.
“Both teams have had good stretches of liking their game, and then both teams have had periods they didn't like,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “It’s all about that consistency and trying to get to that 60-minute game.”
LINEUP NOTES
Maurice wouldn’t say on Saturday what his forward lines would look like come Game 4.
Odds are, if nothing else, he keeps the second line of Sam Bennett centering Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk together, as that unit has been Florida’s most efficient line over the past couple months (when Bennett has been in the lineup).
That being said, it should also be a priority to get Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov going, so we’ll see how things look when Florida takes their warmup line rushes.
After logging just one shot on goal through the first eight and a half periods of the series, Barkov showed some life during the later stages of Game 3. That being the case, perhaps Maurice keeps the status quo to see if Barkov can continue on the upswing.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad left Game 3 late in the second period following a hard check by Charlie McAvoy, briefly coming back before leaving again and not returning.
Ekblad was one of a handful of players on the ice Saturday for an optional practice and seemed to be no worse for the wear. Barring any setbacks, he’ll likely be in the lineup on Sunday.
“He came back in feeling much better today, and we’ll need another day like that,” Maurice said.
In goal, Maurice wouldn’t say who his starter would be, but he continued to sing the praises of Alex Lyon.
“I’ve been pretty clear about how I’ve felt that Alex has played in this series,” Maurice said.
On the Boston side, they will once again be without their captain, Patrice Bergeron, who did not travel with the team to South Florida.
David Krejci missed Game 3 and has been listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Nick Cousins on how to bounce back: “We're at home, we’ve got to establish our forecheck right away. I think we did a not-so-good job of putting it behind their D and getting in on the forecheck. I thought we were kind of disconnected there as a five-man unit, and we didn't spend enough time in their zone, and they took it to us pretty good, so we need a response here."
Anthony Duclair on what needs to change: “We definitely need more intensity, a little more desperation and going back to our game. I think we got a bit away from our game. Like we did Game Two in Boston, I think we if we play like that, the right way, and just working as a five-man unit, going from the D zone, neutral zone to the offensive zone, I think if we stay tight, I think we'll be alright.”
Paul Maurice on not forcing things: “We had a whole bunch of challenges with passing the puck, in that we were not where we needed to be, so just some patience in that part of our game.”