The Boston Bruins came into Sunrise hoping the Panthers were just the salve needed to stop their late season bleeding.
They’re still looking.
Mikael Samuelsson (10) opened the scoring for the Cats with two minutes remaining in the first period on a power play marker. Marcel Goc (10), Stephen Weiss (17) and John Madden (1) all added goals in the second. It was Madden’s first point in 20 Panther’s games. Tomas Kopecky (8) and Wojtek Wolski (3) closed out the scoring in the third period.
Brian Campbell assisted on the Panther’s first three goals, bringing his season total to 43. His blueline compadre, Jason Garrison added an assist of his own, but finished the night with a plus-4 rating.
Jose Theodore stopped 24-of-26 shots for the Florida victory, allowing only a second period goal to Joe Corvo (4) and a power play marker in the third to Brian Rolston (5).
Tim Thomas looked like a shell of the goalie who helped Boston to the Stanley Cup last season, allowing six goals on only 29 Florida shots. Boston goaltenders have allowed 12 goals on their last 46 shots faced, a two game save percentage of .739.