NHL Playoffs: Bruins Eliminated From Playoffs, 2-1 Loss | 5/17/2024

Bruins Lineup:

Marchand – Coyle – Frederic

DeBrusk – Geekie – Pastrnak

Heinen – Zacha – Brazeau

van Riemsdyk – Beecher – Maroon

Lohrei – McAvoy

Lindholm – Carlo

Wotherspoon – Peeke

Swayman

Ullmark

   Pavel Zacha opened the scoring late into the first period, 52.8 left on the clock, on a partial breakaway. He scored with a backhand off Jake DeBrusk’s pass for his first NHL playoff goal in his 25th game.

   At 7:16 of the second, Anton Lundell tied it 1-1 to get Florida on the board. Lundell enclosed the loose puck off Parker Wotherspoon’s stick, firing it past Jeremy Swayman after Jake DeBrusk had just blocked a shot from Carter Verhaeghe five seconds prior.

   After no goals for some time, with only 1:33 on the clock in the final frame, Gustav Forsling scored the game-winning goal. The Bruins struggled to tie it up with such little time remaining. Forsling had scored off a rebound of a shot by Anton Lundell (two points; one goal, one assist) short side on Jeremy Swayman.

Brad Marchand on the loss overall: “Obviously, disappointing. We would have liked and expected a different result. It’s hard losing it in that fashion last minute. It just shows how much of a game of inches it is. They’re a great team, you can’t discredit them at all. We battled hard but we still thought we had more and we expected better.”

Jeremy Swayman on his team and the crowd chanting his name: “This year was an incredible year for not only myself, but everyone on this team – that’s what I’m most proud of; these guys not taking no for an answer,” – “Tears, tears. I couldn’t be more grateful to have a city, to have a home base that’s as supportive as Boston. It means so much more than just fans to me, it’s truly a home for me now. To hear that was above and beyond, and I’m just so grateful for all of the love and support. We wouldn’t be here without them, so that was an incredible moment to be a part of.”

Notes:

– Jeremy Swayman made a total of 26 saves for Boston.

– This had been the second season straight the Bruins were eliminated by the Florida Panthers. Last season, they had lost in overtime in Game 7.

– After missing two games due to a dirty hit by Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand returned to the lineup. Marchand had one shot on goal in 20:06 of ice time.

   I can’t wait to see the Bruins back at it next season. They played so well, as usual, but they still always amaze me with their extraordinary talent. However, I am excited to see the actual professional dirty players (New York Rangers) totally pulverize the Florida Panthers.