Panthers return to Boston for first time since massive playoff upset
Florida has won four of five while the Bruins have yet to to lose in regulation
On the heels of a solid homestand, the Florida Panthers are back on the road and gearing up for what should be a fun playoff series rematch.
Last season, the Panthers shocked the world when they upset the historically good Boston Bruins in seven games during the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“Going back there I'm sure will bring a smile to my face when I step onto that rink tomorrow,” Tkachuk said.
Boston enters Monday’s contest with a sterling 7-0-1 record and is looking to extend its season opening points streak to nine games.
Similarly to the last time the Panthers were in Boston, they enter as underdogs facing a team at the top of the standings.
“They're rolling,” Tkachuk said. “They're one of, if not the best team in the league right now, so it's going to be a great challenge for us.”
There is a bit of unknown regarding how the Panthers forward lines will shake out, and that’s due to the possibility of Sam Bennett making his regular season debut.
Florida Head Coach Paul Maurice said on Sunday that if Bennett felt good in the morning, he’d take part in the team’s pregame skate and a decision would be made from there regarding his status for the game.
In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to get the start for the Cats.
“It's going to be a big game,” Bobrovsky said. “They have a great group of guys and it's going to be a fun challenge.”
Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings IF Bennett plays:
Evan Rodrigues – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Nick Cousins
Ryan Lomberg – Kevin Stenlund – Steven Lorentz
Gus Forsling – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Niko Mikkola – Dmitry Kulikov
Josh Mahura – Uvis Balinskis
Should Maurice elect to hold Bennett out against the Bruins, expect Lundell to move up to center the second line, Lomberg to play the left on the third line and Luostarinen to slide to center. Will Lockwood would draw in as the 12th forward.
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