Panthers Can’t Afford to Give Bruins Any Momentum in Game 6

The Florida Panthers enter Game 6 against the Boston Bruins on Friday up 3-2 in the series. They dropped the first game by a lopsided score of 5-1, but after rattled off three straight wins, outscoring the Bruins 15 to five in that span and taking a stranglehold of the series. Unfortunately, they could not close out the series at home on Tuesday as they dropped Game 5 2-1. As a result, they must return to TD Garden and attempt to finish off the series once again. On the bright side, they do have a 4-2 record on the road and have won their last five playoff games in Boston. They must do it once again, or they could give the Bruins momentum to take the series back.

Panthers Were in the Same Situation Against Bruins Last Spring

Last summer, the Cats were in the exact situation the Bruins are facing, albeit in the first round. Entering Game 5 in Boston, the Cats were down 3-1 and were on the brink of elimination. But thanks to a heroic overtime goal from Matthew Tkachuk, they forced a Game 6. Afterward, he had some bold words for his team that came true.

“Boys, remember this room, we’ll be back for seven.”

Matthew Tkachuk to his locker room after winning Game 5 in 2023.

Indeed, the team went on to win Game 6 in front of a home crowd. Two nights later, they completed what was arguably the biggest upset in NHL history as Carter Verhaeghe put the Bruins to bed in overtime in Game 7.

That moment is still burning in the brains of the Boston locker room. They will look to give the Cats a taste of their own medicine and try to win three straight.

Other Teams Nearly Pulled off Upsets This Postseason

The second round has been dragged out a little longer than expected as teams have been unable to close series out quickly. The New York Rangers finished off their opponent in the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday but the Hurricanes went down swinging as they won two in a row to force a Game 6 back in Raleigh.