The Florida Panthers celebrate their overtime win over the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins' historic season ends in Game 7 loss to Panthers

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/30/23

The Boston Bruins posted the best regular-season campaign in NHL history this year, but their bid for the Stanley Cup is over after only one round.

On Sunday, the Florida Panthers capped off a stunning series upset of the Bruins with a thrilling overtime win in Game 7.

Carter Verhaeghe netted the game-winner 8:35 into overtime, quieting the stunned TD Garden crowd while leaving the Bruins wondering what could've been.

Carter Verhaeghe completes one of the biggest upsets in NHL history! @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/J3x2hjtlcK
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) May 1, 2023

Despite leading 2-0 near the midway point of the second period, the Panthers found themselves a minute away from elimination.

After three straight Bruins goals from David Krejci, Tyler Bertuzzi, and David Pastrnak, Boston held a 3-2 advantage in the final moments of the third.

However, destiny was on the side of the Panthers. With a minute to go in the third, Brandon Montour knotted the game up at 3-3 to force the extra session and set the stage for Verhaeghe's dramatic OT goal.

Verhaeghe's theatrics helped him become only the seventh active player to score multiple series-clinching goals, with his first coming in Game 6 against the Washington Capitals in 2022.

Carter Verhaeghe is the only @FlaPanthers player to score a series-clinching goal since the franchise made the #StanleyCup Final in 1996.#NHLStats: https://t.co/9I2t5c9ZIi pic.twitter.com/Gl6zKE50Fg
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 1, 2023

For the Bruins, it's a disappointing end to a once-promising season. While Game 7's loss will sting, blowing a 3-1 series advantage has to hurt even more.

President's Trophy winners coming up short of hoisting Lord Stanley isn't uncommon. However, Boston's epic collapse in round one was one for the history books. According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Bruins are only the second Presidents' Trophy winner to blow a 3-1 postseason lead, joining the Capitals (2010).

While Boston and captain Patrice Bergeron face an uncertain offseason, the Panthers are onto the second round, where they'll face the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Panthers finished 43 points behind the Bruins in the regular season standings. Still, Florida proved again that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are an entirely different animal and insanely unpredictable.

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