Final: Panthers 4, Bruins 2 -- Boston finishes second in Atlantic Division

The Boston Bruins will have to settle for second place in the Atlantic Division after dropping a 4-2 decision to the Florida Panthers in game No. 82 Sunday night at TD Garden. The Bruins will face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, beginning Thursday at TD Garden.

 

Here's the schedule for the first round vs. the  Maple Leafs

Game 1: Thursday at Boston, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday at Boston, 8 p.m.
Game 3: Monday at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Game 5: April 21 at Boston, TBD
Game 6: April 23 at Toronto, TBD
Game 7: April 25 at Boston, TBD



Observations from the first period 

• Zdeno Chara nearly takes Patrice Bergeron's head off with a slap shot.


• Unlike Matt Grzelcyk to turn the puck over like that and the Panthers gain a quick 1-0 lead.


• Charlie McAvoy is a physical force early tonight.


• The Panthers nearly scored an own goal on that last play.


• Chara going off for hooking. Florida gets the first PP of the game.


• Bruins kill it off but it wasn't pretty.


• Boston responds with an even-strength goal in an all-out effort by David Backes to tie the game at 1-1.


• Danton Heinen is playing well. And, he was just robbed by James Reimer.


• Boston getting its first PP of the game.


• Bergeron off on his passing tonight. Very unusual.


• Terrible power play for the Bruins. Panthers kill it off.


• Too, too cute by Brad Marchand. Shoot the puck.


• Frank Vatrano with a one-timer from the high slot to beat Rask to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead with 3:14 remaining in the first period.


• This recent trend of allowing long-distance goals for Rask needs to stop.


• David Pastrnak going off for tripping. Panthers on the power play.


• Sharp glove save by Rask through traffic.


• Another pad save for Rask on the power play. Again, through traffic in front.


• Bruins kill it off -- barely.

• Marchand goes to the bench after a collision at center ice. Trainer checking on him.


• Brian Gionta now playing with David Krejci and Heinen.


• Can an official be suspended for a hit to the head? McAvoy collides with linesman near the penalty box and takes a shot to the head.


• Backes back with Krejci.


• Bruins getting a power play.


• Ref misses a high stick to Marchand's face.


• Special teams aren't so special tonight for the Bruins.


• Entries are struggling this period.


• Panthers make it 3-1 with 6:27 remaining in the period. Bruins running around their zone on that one. Goal end result of a McAvoy turnover.


• Panthers toying with the Bruins.


• Game is in a delay because of an injured fan who was hit by a puck.


• Play resumes with 2:55 remaining in period.


• I think it's only a matter of time before the protective netting covers the entire surface.


• Bruins could change momentum if they can score before the end of the period.


• Terrible period for the Bruins.

• Bruins' top line needs to figure it out. Haven't been at its best of late.


• Vatrano is wreaking havoc on the Bruins tonight.


• McAvoy to the box for elbowing.


• Bruins kill it off.


• Chara takes a high stick to the face and the Bruins have a four-minute power play.


• There's one. Pastrnak scores to cut deficit to 3-2.


• Still have a two-minute power play.


• Bruins playing with some life now.


• Wonder what Mike Babcock thinks about this power play.


• During Reimer injury timeout, Bergeron is taking a twirl and testing something.


• After one shift, Reimer is still hurting so Roberto Luongo is coming in with 8:07 remaining in regulation.


• Bruins have 40 shots on net.


• After a strong push by the Bruins, the Panthers score to make it 4-2.


• So far, Bruins have outshot the Panthers 24-5 this period.