Bobrovsky Backstops Panthers In 2-1 Victory Over Boston
Bobrovsky's stellar saves shut down Boston, while Samoskevich and Bennett's early goals secured the Panthers' hard-fought 2-1 triumph.
The Florida Panthers completed a sweep of their two-game homestand on Thursday night in Sunrise. Fresh off defeating the Ottawa Senators, Florida took down another team fighting for their playoff lives, earning a gritty 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins at Amerant Bank Arena. Interestingly, all the goals in this game would come during the opening period.
Getting the party started just 4:20 into the game was Panthers youngster Mackie Samoskevich. First, he picked off a pass from Bruins defenseman Henri Jokiharju deep in Boston’s zone before cutting to the middle of the ice and wiring a shot past Jeremy Swayman to set up Florida with a 1-0 lead. For Samoskevich, it was his third consecutive game with a goal, the longest such streak of his NHL career.
Just 3:39 later, Sam Bennett was in the right place at the right time when A. J. Greer’s long wrist shot was blocked by Jokiharji.
The puck came right to Bennett’s stick as he skated through the slot, and the quick-thinking forward put the puck past Swayman before the goaltender could react, doubling the Cats’ lead. Ultimately, the goal would end up being the game-winner After Fraser Minter picked up his 17th goal of the season during the final minute of the opening frame. From there, Sergei Bobrovsky stood tall for the Cats, stopping all 20 shots Boston put on him the rest of the way, including 15 that came during the third period.