Bruins-Panthers Game 6: Three keys to victory with Season B on the line originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins are still alive in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, but to force a Game 7 on Sunday, they will need to protect home ice against the Florida Panthers in Game 6 on Friday night.
This proved to be quite a challenge for the B’s. They have lost five consecutive home playoff games against the Panthers dating back to last season, including Games 3 and 4 of this series.
The Bruins have a minus-8 goal differential (16 goals for, 24 against) in their last six postseason games against the Panthers at TD Garden.
If this trend doesn’t reverse in Game 6, the Bruins’ season will be over.
Here are three keys to victory for the Bruins
Swayman needs to give another stellar performance
The Bruins have scored two or fewer goals in seven of their last eight games. So Swayman’s margin for error has been incredibly small. Fortunately for the Bruins, he always rises to the occasion.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper was the best player in his position throughout the playoffs. He leads all goaltenders with a .933 save percentage and 10.75 goals saved above expected, by natural statistics trick.
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Swayman’s outstanding save in the final seconds of Game 5 extended the Bruins’ season.
Unless the Bruins find a way to produce more 5-on-5 offense and/or fix their power play issues, Swayman will need to be brilliant again for the Original Six club to further extend its season.
He’s given up two goals or fewer in eight of his 11 games this postseason, so there’s good reason to believe he’ll give the team a chance on Friday night.
Win the special teams battle
The Bruins were fouled 25 times against the Panthers, the most of any team in the second round. They gave the Panthers six power plays in Game 2, Game 3 and Game 4. Even though the officiating has been a little suspect at times in this series, the Bruins still need to be much more disciplined and not give the Panthers a dangerous power play also many opportunities.
After giving up six power-play goals in the previous three games, the Bruins penalty increased in Game 5 with a perfect 4-for-4 showing. This unit blocked shots, won puck battles, and did a good job getting the sticks into passing lanes. Swayman was also very good, making five saves on five shots during the penalty kill.
The Bruins need a similar performance from their PK in Game 6.
Figuring out the power play would also be a big help for the Bruins. They have one power play goal – a David Pastrnak tally in Game 4 – in 14 attempts against the Panthers, giving them a 7.1 percent success rate, which is the worst of the six teams still alive in the second round. .
The key for the Bruins with the man advantage is to get as many pucks on net as possible. Bobrovsky has an .896 save percentage in the series and has had trouble locating pucks and controlling rebounds. If the Bruins can get the puck in traffic, they have guys who clean up the mess and score some fat goals. Overtaking and trying to set up the perfect play is not the best strategy against this opponent.
Maintain intensity for 60 minutes
The Bruins have started the last two games very well. Despite being defeated early in Game 4, the B’s took a 2-0 lead at the first intermission. They played even better in the first period of Game 5, holding a 13-4 shot advantage and a 1-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.
The second and third periods have been a problem for the Bruins in this series. The Panthers outscored them 16-8 after the first period in five games. Since Game 1, the Panthers have a 15-3 goal difference after the first period.
The Bruins had three escapes in the second period of Game 4 and were unable to capitalize on any of them. Jake DeBrusk, Trent Frederic, Morgan Geekie and David Pastrnak all had Grade A scoring chances in Game 5 and none of them converted.
The Panthers had the seventh-best winning percentage (.368) when trailing after the first period of the regular season. They are 2-1-0 in the playoffs. Florida is built to erase almost any deficit with its high-powered offense, mobile defenders and a goaltender, Sergei Bobrovsky, who ranks third in high-danger save percentage this postseason.
The Bruins can’t take their foot off the gas or the Panthers will make them pay.
