4 Takeaways as Panthers beat Bruins again.
Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) drops to the ice after a shot as Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes the save during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)AP
BOSTON — The game was closer, but the result was the same.
The Panthers continue to get the better of the Bruins. Despite missing two of their best players — Aleksander Barkhov and Matthew Tkachuk, Florida turned a dominant second period into a 4-3 win over Boston Monday at TD Garden.
The Bruins (2-2) head west for a three-game road trip at Colorado, Utah and Nashville beginning Wednesday in Denver.
Boston scored first for the first time this season on Johnny Beecher’s first goal of the season a tip-in of a Mark Kastelic shot. But Florida got the next two and the Bruins trailed 2-1 after the first. Brandon Carlo tied the game just over 5 minutes into the second.
But Sam Reinhart scored his second of the game to make it 3-2 and Boston never pulled even again.
Jeremy Swayman made two saves in his first loss of the season.
Below are four takeaways from the Bruins’ second loss to Florida this season
ANOTHER SHORTHANDED BACKBREAKER — For the second time in two games between the teams, Sam Reinhart scored a short-handed goal. He picked Matt Poitras’ pocket to start the breakout and then stole the puck again from Charlie Coyle deep in the zone to stuff it under Swayman. Reinhart has three goals, including two shorthanded, this year, all against the Bruins.
MONTGOMERY SHAKES UP LINES — With Charlie Coyle, Brad Marchand and Morgan Geekie, all without a goal this year, Jim Montgomery shook up his middle six. He moved up Matt Poitras and Justin Brazeau to play with Marchand, while Coyle and Geekie slid down to play with Frederic.
FOURTH LINE STILL SCORING — With the second line struggling, the Bruins continued to be lifted by the fourth line. Mark Kastelic had three assists giving him five points this season and was plus-3 in the game. Beecher was also plus-3, while Cole Koepke was plus-2.
A.J. GREER BECOMING A VILLAIN — In two games as a Panther, former Bruin forward A.J. Greer has become an unpopular opponent. After fighting Mark Kastelic in Game 1, he hit David Pastrnak from behind early leading to a fight with Pavel Zacha. Kastelic attempted to square off again, but Greer declined.
