Florida takes the ice in desperate need of a win, having posted a 3-5-2 record in their last 10 and giving up a share of the Southeast division lead to the Washington Capitals. The Bruins are doubtlessly not in a giving mood, coming off a 4-2 loss to the cellar dwelling Carolina Hurricanes
Just over one minute into the first period, Boston found their way onto the board with Patrice Bergeron’s 13th goal of the season, with assists awarded to Benoit Pouliot and Tyler Seguin.
Mike Santorelli and Matt Bradley broke in at the three minute mark, but Bradley was taken down by Dennis Seidenberg before he got a poke at the rebounding puck, putting the Panthers on their first power play of the night.
The Panthers kept the puck in the Boston zone for the first half of the power play, getting two shots on net and consequently two puck freezes. The second part of the man advantage saw the Bruins twice clear the puck and ultimately kill off the Panthers threat.
With eight minutes gone in the period, Michal Repik broke into the Bruins zone with Shawn Matthias out all alone in front of Tukka Rask’s crease, but Matthias couldn’t deke Rask, and the save was made.
Ed Jovanovski got into a scrap with Daniel Paille with three minutes left in the period. Both players headed to the penalty box with matching five minute minors.
Florida logged nine of the first 10 shots on net, but Boston’s shot was the only one that found the back of the net.
Hits: Panthers, 14-8
Blocked Shots: Bruins, 3-1
Faceoffs: Panthers, 11-9
Shots On Goal: Panthers, 12-6
Score: Bruins 1, Panthers 0