by Bob Morello
Bruins Bounce back!
The often used statement “a must win game,” definitely fitting the mold was truly evident as the Bruins’ Saturday matinee versus their division rival, the Stanley Cup winning Florida Panthers, this game was “must win game.” The Panthers have knocked the Bruins out of the playoffs for the past two seasons, and as a result, there is a significant rivalry, and physicality that hits high on the scale each time these two teams meet. Boston opened the 2024-25 season with their game one opponent – these same Panthers, the outcome was a stinging 6-4 loss. In October they met for the second time, the outcome was the same, another loss, and this one by a 4-3 score. But Saturday’s game had some damming facts for the Bruins who were coming in to Amerant Arena riding a six-game losing streak, with their last victory coming two weeks ago (December 28) versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. Plus their ineffective power play was ice cold as they had gone 0-for-12 in their last dozen power play opportunities.
Fortunately the locals were able to turn a few things around while playing the Panthers. Starting with Morgan Geekie scoring his tenth goal in the first period, Boston’s first power play score in nine games. Evan Rodrigues evened it up for Florida with a power play goal. With the game tied 1-1, David Pastrnak found the back of the net at the end of the second period to again give the Bs a 2-1 lead. Sam Reinhart responded with his 24th goal of the season to start the third period, and it was again knotted up at 2-2. Less than two minutes later, Bruins newcomer Oliver Wahlstrom netted his first goal as a Bruin to give his team a 3-2 lead. Three times Boston had had a one-goal lead, and three times Florida was able to come back and tie the game. The game-tying goal for the Panthers came off the stick of Reinhart (25) with less than three seconds left in regulation, with Florida playing with an empty net, sending the contest to overtime. It was the resilience the Bruins showed following that painful tying goal that was rewarding.
Head coach Joe Sacco promptly addressed his troops with some timely encouragement: “We just have to keep playing, we’ve put ourselves in that situation, and now you have an opportunity to grab that extra point in overtime, put it behind you and just keep playing.” Sacco’s words did not fall on deaf ears, as Boston’s overtime play showed. The Bruins were awarded a power play due to Sam Bennett’s high-sticking penalty, and playing with a 4 on 3 player advantage, Pastrnak added a second power play goal with less than two seconds left in overtime with his 19th goal… a weird goal that went into the Panthers net after hitting off or Reinhart’s stick. The result, a 4-3 victory, and a much-needed two points, thanks in part to Jeremy Swayman’s excellent 40-save effort against the powerful offense of the Panthers who outshot Boston 43-18. This leaves Boston with a 21-19-5 record (13-10-2 under Sacco). Next up for the Bruins is a return to TD Garden to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight (Tuesday, 7:00pm) in a four-point game as they continue to battle each other for third place in the Atlantic Division. Ottawa will host the Bruins on Saturday afternoon (3:00pm), and it is unlikely that the Bruins will get a chance to face former Bruin, Linus Ullmark in net for the Sens, as he is currently out of the lineup suffering from a back injury. Since Boston traded Ullmark to the Senators, he has impressed in 23 games, with a record of 12-7-0-2, 2.38 goals against, and a .915 save percentage. Ullmark’s return is currently listed as week to week. Leevi Merilainen, a 22-year-old Finnish goaltender, and a Sens 2020 third-round pick, has filled in admirably for Ullmark with a 4-2-0-0 record, 2.34 goals against, and a .913 save percentage, almost mirroring Ullmark’s numbers. On Monday, Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced that the team has recalled forward Vinni Lettieri from Providence. Lettieri has appeared in 35 games with the Providence Bruins this season, recording 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points. The 5-foot-10, 184-pound forward currently leads Providence skaters in goals and points, while also ranking third in points among active AHL players.