Bruins Called Out by NHL Fans for Sloppy Play in Game 2 Playoff Loss vs. Panthers
Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMay 9, 2024
Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
A sloppy and ugly affair resulted in the Boston Bruins losing 6-1 to the host Florida Panthers in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series, which is now knotted at one game apiece.
Florida scored six unanswered goals—three in the second and three in the third—to cruise to the easy win. Aleksander Barkov was the game’s No. 1 star with two goals and two assists, while Sam Reinhart added three helpers.
Simply put, the Bruins showed few signs of life after the first period, which resulted in Boston leading 1-0 after a Charlie Coyle goal. The only spark the Bruins showed afterward occurred around the halfway point of the third period, when multiple fights ensued.
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceBEDLAM IN SUNRISE 😱 pic.twitter.com/8ctZft7qMg
Sportsnet @SportsnetThe Panthers score a shorty and more chaos ensues ‼️ pic.twitter.com/tnCpTQvbNK
Sportsnet @SportsnetPASTRNAK AND TKACHUK DROP THE GLOVES! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/RQqDxyOO2F
Thirteen players in all received game misconduct penalties.
Julianne Pelusi @JuliannePelusiBruins Panthers 3rd period misconduct list is longer than a CVS receipt. pic.twitter.com/mFmeZ70cX7
In regards to what happened on the scoreboard, give credit to Florida for taking advantage of a brutal Boston effort, characterized by sloppy turnovers, bewildering mistakes and soft goals.
Steven Lorenz scored after a defensive zone turnover to knot the game at one.
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthersSTEVEN. LORENTZ. pic.twitter.com/EvOjbd98mk
Reinhart found himself with a great scoring opportunity in the second period. Goalie Jeremy Swayman stopped him, but the rebound somehow evaded all of the Bruins and landed on Barkov’s stick for the goal.
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthersSASHA PUTS US ON TOP! pic.twitter.com/QN5YkjPhKk
After the Panthers collected a loose puck, Gustav Forsling scored with two seconds remaining in the second period from a slap shot just past the blue line that somehow found its way into the net for a 3-1 edge.
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthersALL ABOARD!!!! pic.twitter.com/p0YmvHUxBM
The worst goal of them all came early in the third, after a costly takeaway from behind the Bruins’ net led to two point-blank scoring chances. The first from Reinhart did not connect, but the second one via Eetu Luostarinen did. Now Florida led 4-1.
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthersOK BOYS!!!! pic.twitter.com/8zNbmK8Ree
Florida took a 5-1 lead after two Bruins tried to collect a loose puck in their own zone. Neither got it, Florida collected it and a quick four-on-two situation ensued. It ended with Barkov’s second goal, this time on the power play.
The coup de grace was the most unsightly of the bunch, with Brandon Montour scoring a shorthanded goal during a brief moment where it seemed like Florida was on the power play:
Florida Panthers @FlaPanthersA LOT GOIN ON pic.twitter.com/0oWrIBAJFE
The Panthers also outshot the Bruins 33-16, including 26-10 over the final two frames. Needless to say, fans let their opinions known about the performance.
Dave @dave_rog1985Bruins deserved to lose playing that way, awful defense and sloppy play all game. Deserved it. Be better and win at home.
Matt Soleyn @MattSoleyn#Bruins terrible tonight. #NHL #hockey #BOSvsFLA
S.Hump @_shumps21Bruins let Swayman down big time. Disgusting behavior.
Gabby Hurlbut @gabbyhurlbut10Bruins completely slept through everything but the first period here tonight. Lots of sloppy play and lack of motivation. Just go win at home
Austin Ahern 😃 @TailsAustin9922Wow. 😮
What a bad loss.
At least the B’s won the first game!!!
Good luck in Game 3!!! Go Bruins!!!
Papa Bruin’s Fam @BigBadBruins88How do you go from playing your best playoff game to your worst in 48 hours? 🤷♂️ #nhlbruins pic.twitter.com/1YvnKAHKve
Sportsnet Stats @SNstatsToo many men penalties this postseason
Bruins 5
Rest of NHL 4
x – Alex @bigbadbruins73Just not enough everywhere on the ice for the Bruins in the second. Need more shots actually on Bob and less stupid defensive mistakes
Nicholas W. Goss @NickGossNBCSBOne too many men on the ice penalty is too much in the playoffs. Bruins are now up to five.
Alex Barth @RealAlexBarthJust too sloppy from the Bruins all night, right down to the final second of the second period.
Swaydaddy @dmichael_bruins fans being dead inside while watching their team have ANOTHER disaster of a game pic.twitter.com/mNZqPLVfS3
Immortan Bill @ImmortanBillSloppy, shitty hockey being played by the bruins. Cough it up 100 times in your own zone and this is what happens
Alex Barth @RealAlexBarthJust too sloppy from the Bruins all night, right down to the final second of the second period.
The good news for Boston is that it took one of two from Florida in its barn after a 5-1 Game 1 win, so the Bruins hold home-ice advantage.
Game 3 will take place in Boston on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
