The Bruins’ top six forwards should step up offensively in Game 4 against the Panthers

The Bruins’ top six forwards should step up offensively in Game 4 against the Panthers originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — The Bruins won’t win their Eastern Conference second-round series against the Florida Panthers if their top six forwards don’t start scoring goals at a higher rate.

These guys need to be Boston’s best players. And not only is this group not putting together a high-level performance through three games, the Panthers’ top six forwards are starting to fire on all cylinders.

If this trend doesn’t reverse, the Bruins will likely face a 3-1 series deficit on Monday morning.

The Bruins lost 6-2 in Friday night’s Game 3 at TD Gardenand for the third time in the series, their top six forwards were unable to generate much attack.

It was also the fifth time in the last six games that the Bruins scored two or fewer goals. They were able to survive this lack of offense largely because of Jeremy Swayman’s elite goaltending, but it’s unfair to expect him to maintain a .950 save percentage through two rounds.

“We didn’t generate much offense. We have to get better,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said after the game. “I have to give the players a better game plan. Florida was significantly better than us. I have to come up with a better game plan.”

David Pastrnak has scored just one goal in his last six games. It was very important – the series-decisive count in overtime of game 7 of the first round – but he needs to be much better for the Bruins to have a chance in this series. Pastrnak scored zero goals with seven shots in three games against the Panthers.

Pavel Zacha has not scored a single goal in 19 career playoff games. He recorded just one shot and was held without a point in Game 3. His brutal turnover in the defensive zone during the first period led to the Panthers’ opening goal.

Charlie Coyle scored one goal in 10 playoff games. He scored zero points and just one shot, while missing 10 of 18 faceoffs in Game 3. Morgan Geekie has been the second-line center as of late. He has scored one goal and zero assists in his last four games. He has not scored a point in each of the last two contests against the Panthers.

Jake DeBrusk was one of two or three Bruins players who actually played well in Game 3. He scored a goal and picked up an assist, while collecting a team-high six shots.

Brad Marchand hasn’t scored in six games. He didn’t score a single shot in Game 3 and didn’t play after the second period due to an upper body injury. Montgomery did not have a new update on Marchand postgame. Losing Marchand for any length of time would be a significant setback for the Bruins. He is the top scorer in the playoffs with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 10 games, in addition to playing a key role on special teams.

Making matters worse for the Bruins is the fact that the Panthers’ top six forwards, especially captain Aleksander Barkov, are consistently creating scoring opportunities. They also play fast, physical, and wear you down with a relentless work ethic and aggressive checking. It’s an extremely difficult group to face.

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The lack of scoring from their top-six forwards isn’t the Bruins’ only problem right now.

O The penalty was horrible in game 3. The start of the games has been poor – Boston scored just three shots in the first period on Friday. The Bruins are still committing too many turnovers. Boston’s power play is 0-for-7 in the second round, and this unit hasn’t scored since Game 4 of the first round. Veteran defenseman Charlie McAvoy is in crisis, both offensively and defensively.

Unless the Bruins’ best forwards start spending more time in the offensive zone and end up scoring more goals, it will be very difficult to beat a Panthers team that has scored three or more goals in seven of eight playoff games.

Swayman’s brilliance in net was enough to lead the Bruins past the Leafs in the first round. He needs a lot more help if Boston wants to win this series against the Panthers.