In a pivotal Atlantic Division matchup, the Boston Bruins edged out the Florida Panthers with a 3-2 overtime victory, thanks to Jesper Boqvist's decisive goal 2:05 into the extra period, scored off OEL's stick. This win at TD Garden not only allowed the Bruins to sweep the three-game series against their division rivals but also expanded their lead in the Atlantic Division to five points over the Panthers, who now hold a record of 48-24-5. With four regular-season games remaining for both teams, the Panthers, now trailing by five points, faced a setback in their pursuit of the division title. Despite a strong third period that secured them a point, the Panthers' loss complicates their path to the top spot in the Atlantic, setting the stage for a likely first-round playoff matchup against Toronto. The game was marked by intense competition, including a flurry of power plays and penalty kills, reflecting the high stakes of this late-season encounter.
Bruins top Panthers in overtime, extend Atlantic Division lead⤵️ https://t.co/gFvI04cfd5
Jesper Boqvist’s breakaway goal 2:05 into overtime handed the Bruins a 3-2 win over the Panthers in a Saturday matinee at TD Garden, and a sweep of the three-game series over their Atlantic Division rivals. https://t.co/cllQWlDpyY
How about that ending? Huge game, overtime...and Jesper Boqvist(6) gets the GW Goal! #NHLBruins up their 1st place lead in the Atlantic Division to 5 points with 4 reg season games each left to play. @wbz https://t.co/5YgEL2MVQu
Jesper Boqvist snipes it to win it for the Bruins! 🐻 The Boston Bruins beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 with Boqvist's @SUBWAYCanada OT winner. https://t.co/vq57N4pkZ6
The #FlaPanthers look headed toward a first-round opener on April 20 in Sunrise against the #Leafs after losing 3-2 in overtime to the #nhlBruins on Saturday. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/yE8U95VeGH
Jesper Boqvist rips the puck off OEL’s stick and wins it in overtime on a breakaway. Panthers lose 3-2 — they now trail the Bruins by five points for the Atlantic Divison title. Hello, Toronto.
Jesper Boqvist! Short side snipe. Bruins win 3-2 in OT.
Jesper Bobqivst with the top shelf snipe. Bruins win it in OT!
Panthers/Bruins head to overtime
So, the #FlaPanthers will either be 3 or 5 points back of Boston with 4 games left. Toronto rematch in Round 1 looking more likely.
This game is headed to OT. Florida will either end the day three or five points behind Boston for the top spot in the Atlantic depending on how things go here. They miss an opportunity to draw within two, but a dominant third period helps them steal a point.
On to OT. Bruins will either be three or five points ahead of the Panthers.
After 2: Bruins 2, Panthers 1
The #FlaPanthers will go into the third down 2-1 to #nhlBruins
Panthers now 0/2 on the power play.
Panthers will have four seconds of 5-on-3 power play time after Andrew Peeke takes a delay of game penalty.
After 1: Panthers 1, Bruins 1 Florida will have 21 seconds of power play time to start the second period. They’re 2 for their past 22.
END OF 1: Panthers 1, Bruins 1 21 seconds left on the PP for FLA
Panthers now 3/3 on the penalty kill.
3rd power play of the period coming up for Boston.
Bruins playing well in the first period but power play continues to be a challenge. They'll get another chance with Florida going off for a high-sticking call
The #FlaPanthers scored 37 seconds into their game against the Boston Bruins. Meanwhile, #Marlins are down 3-0 to the Cardinals heading to the bottom of the sixth.
#GoBolts will get power play with 1:36 left for putting puck over the glass.
#Bolts are going to get a 6-on-4 with 1:36 left in the third as Pettersson gets two for delay of game.
#GoBolts head to the power play at 9:39, Paul was tripped up by Pettersson
Now Paul draws a tripping penalty and the #Bolts will go to the power play with 10:21 left in regulation.
#GoBolts will get their first power play chance just as Kucherov barely missed, Hagel was knocked down in front by Pettersson, tripping is the call https://t.co/nbQsW7yCSG
#Bolts to the PK 1:30 into the second as Fleury gets two for cross-checking.
Bobrovsky, Panthers shut out Senators 6-0 to get back on winning track https://t.co/o9nuZq3DrE
Panthers score fastest opening 2 goals in team history, blank Senators ⤵️https://t.co/x5SzWynr4Q
Bruins stay four points ahead of the Panthers ahead of Saturday's matchup. The Lightning move within two points of the Leafs for third in the Atlantic. Toronto has a game in hand, but the Bolts will likely hold the regulation wins tiebreaker. They'll meet once more in Game 82.
Matthew Tkachuk has a 3-point night, Anton Lundell scores a beauty, and Sergei Bobrovsky gets his fifth shutout of the season as the #FlaPanthers dump the #Sens 6-0. Bobrovsky had four shutouts in his first four seasons with the Panthers. ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/uZM3coVlrj
Panthers win 6-0. Sergei Bobrovsky picks up his fifth shutout of the season and Paul Maurice passes Lindy Ruff on the NHL’s all-time wins list.
#FlaPanthers shut out Ottawa 6-0. A complete win for Florida — and a much needed win after the recent skid, dropping 8 of 10. Fifth shutout of the season for Bobrovsky. 48-24-5. At Boston on Saturday, then four-game homestand to cap the regular season.
FINAL: Panthers 6, Senators 0 Cats improve to 48-24-5 (101 points). Third 100+ point season in franchise history. https://t.co/2S3guibFnm
#Bolts back to the PK with 15:58 left in the third as Cernak gets two for tripping.
Officials review a high stick on Struble and it’s a double minor, so the #Bolts will get another power play with just over 10 seconds left in the period.
Kucherov was in alone, but Matheson called for tripping as he swiped the stick across and took the skates out, #GoBolts to the power play
#Bolts back to the power play with 3:02 left in the second as Matheson goes back to the box for tripping.
#Bolts to the power play with 8:48 left in the second as Matheson gets two for tripping.
Panthers to the PK for @2_much_man with 8:58 to go in the second period. They’re 4/4 tonight.
After 1: Panthers 2, Senators 0 Ottawa will start the second with 52 seconds of power play time
END OF 1: Panthers 2, Senators 0 Outside of all the penalties, a good start for the Cats. Intensity is there tonight and Bob is on top of his game. 52 seconds left on the PP for Ottawa to start the 2nd.
The Panthers are off to a HOT start scoring two goals in 35 seconds. 🥵 (🎥: @NHL) https://t.co/NCT9qlWSi9