BOSTON (AP) — On March 11, 2025, the Boston Bruins rallied to defeat the Florida Panthers 3-2, thanks to three third-period goals, highlighting the resilience of the team after trading away its captain just four days earlier. The game took place at TD Garden, where the Bruins, having recently struggled with only one win in their previous nine games, showed renewed vigor against their Atlantic Division rivals, the defending Stanley Cup champions.
David Pastrnak proved instrumental for the Bruins, netting one goal and providing the assist for the game-winning goal scored by Pavel Zacha. Pastrnak’s performance added spark to the team after they had struggled to find form leading up to the trade deadline. His 33rd goal of the season came on the power play with 11:04 left on the clock, cutting the Panthers' lead to 2-1.
The Panthers, who had entered the game on a six-game winning streak, initially took control with goals from Dmitry Kulikov and Mackie Samoskevich. Kulikov opened the scoring at 4:27 of the first period, blasting the puck past Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman after winning the faceoff, with assists from Sam Bennett. Samoskevich then extended Florida’s lead to 2-0 early in the third period, capitalizing on a five-on-three power play.
Despite the odds, the Bruins began to mount their comeback when Pastrnak scored to make it 2-1, utilizing a well-timed pass from Casey Mittelstadt. Just over six minutes later, Mason Lohrei tied the game at two with 6:09 remaining. Lohrei’s goal, set up by Jakub Lauko who skillfully battled for puck possession along the boards, shifted the momentum firmly back to the home side.
It was not long before Pastrnak assisted Zacha for the game-winner, as he spun off a check before delivering a pinpoint backhand pass right to Zacha's stick, sealing the Bruins’ victory with just 3:17 left to play. This game, paired with recent developments, not only marked back-to-back wins for the Bruins but also pushed the Panthers to their first loss after six consecutive victories.
The defeat was particularly poignant for Marchand, who was traded to the Panthers from Boston just days prior. Recovering from an upper-body injury sustained earlier, he watched from the sidelines. "It felt weird," he commented post-game, reflecting on the mixed emotions of facing his former team.
Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida’s goalkeeper, faced 24 shots and made 21 saves, but could not prevent the late-game flurry from the Bruins. His counterpart, Jeremy Swayman, performed solidly, with 26 saves, including key stops during the opening and second periods to keep Boston within reach. The Panthers' defense, praised earlier for its tight play, faltered under Boston’s relentless attacks late in the game.
A significant moment came when the Panthers almost leveled the game near the end. Florida appeared to have poked the puck through Swayman’s pads with 1:31 left, but the play was whistled dead before the puck crossed the line. This turned out to be pivotal, as the Bruins escaped disaster and maintained their lead until the final horn.
Assistant coach Paul Maurice of the Panthers expressed disappointment over their inability to close out the game. “We had full control of the puck three times, and then didn’t,” he stated. “Those are plays we can execute on. So much of it is what you give them.” His analysis affirmed the Bruins' resurgence and the mistakes made by Florida, which has been reflective of their performances during the winning streak.
Looking at the road ahead, the Panthers are set to face the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 13, 2025, seeking to rebound from this loss. Meanwhile, the Bruins will travel north to Ottawa on the same date, riding the momentum of two back-to-back victories, indicating they may be finding their stride just as the playoff chase heats up.
This clash showcased the fierce competitiveness within the Atlantic Division and the unpredictable nature of the NHL season as teams jockey for playoff position. With sparks flying, fans are left wondering if the Bruins can maintain this momentum and how the Panthers will respond after their abrupt end to their winning streak.