BSJ Game Report: Panthers 5, Bruins 2 - B’s PK falters, Knight shines as 7-game win streak is snapped

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 5-2 loss to the Panthers, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

PK falters as Bruins’ winning streak snapped at seven games: Well, it had to come to an end eventually. 

But the manner in which the Bruins saw their seven-game winning streak snapped likely won’t sit well with many in the room — with one of the foundations of Boston’s success this season (a stout penalty kill) crumbling in what was ultimately a 5-2 loss to the Panthers down at FLA Live Arena. 

The Panthers might boast a lot of high-end talent on their power-play grouping, but the Bruins didn’t necessarily make things difficult for a Florida club that had lost three games in a row — with lapses in execution and simple miscues like failing to tie up sticks leading to three power-play strikes for the Panthers in their seven bids. 

Of course, there’s no need to sound the alarms for a road loss in November down in the Sunshine State. Boston’s PK grouping can and should rebound in short order, although it was rather concerning to see the Panthers (a team not necessarily known for its heft) push Boston around, especially after the whistle. 

If there’s one thing worth addressing in terms of personnel further down the line, it might be adding another skater that’s more than willing to be a fly in the ointment when things get chippy. 

B’s can’t solve Knight: Give the opposing goalie credit in this one. 

Despite the lopsided score, the Bruins piled up high-danger chances against Spencer Knight during 5v5 play, with the former BC netminder standing tall and shutting down any hope of a third-period rally for the visitors. 

During 5v5 play (which was hard to come by given the officials’ preference for whistling just about every 50-50 infraction), the Bruins actually generated 13 high-danger chances against Knight. But that meant little when you have a locked-in goalie standing as the lone equalizer. 

After their previous two losses this season could be chalked up to a defensive structure implosion (at Ottawa) and both neutral-zone issues and some … off-ice distractions for the NHL club (at Toronto), Wednesday was the type of defeat where you just have to tip your cap to the opposing netminder.

TWO UP

Charlie McAvoy: Despite giving all Bruins fans a collective fright after briefly exiting the game in the first period, McAvoy returned in short order and was once again impactful in heavy minutes — scoring his second goal of the season at 17:14 in the first and finishing with 23:53 of ice time. McAvoy is now up to nine points (one goal, eight assists) in his last five games — with Sidney Crosby standing as the lone NHLer who has accumulated more points (11 points in five games) during that stretch. 

Charlie Coyle: He didn’t record a point in the loss, but Coyle was usually anchoring a pretty effective line whenever Montgomery rolled him out on Wednesday. During Coyle’s 9:28 of 5v5 ice time, Boston held an 11-1 edge in shots on goal. 

FOUR DOWN 

Penalty kill: After appearing invincible for most of the last six weeks, Boston’s shorthanded unit is starting to look a bit mortal as of late — headlined by Wednesday’s performance. The Bruins will be eagerly awaiting the return of Derek Forbort within the next few weeks. Not Brandon Carlo’s best night during his shorthanded reps. 

Jakub Zboril: Playing for the first time since Nov. 13, Zboril didn’t do himself any favors when it comes to justifying more ice time in the future — with the young defenseman standing as the main culprit in Florida’s lone 5v5 goal of the evening. Boston needed Zboril to make a play as the first man in on this puck — rather than let Sam Reinhart out-muscle him on the forecheck. 

Jeremy Swayman: Boston’s PK didn’t really help him out, but this was also far from Swayman’s best effort in net, with the young netminder getting knocked for a couple of leaky goals once again. He finished with 24 saves on 28 shots. 

Brad Marchand: If Boston had any hope of getting back into this one, it was going to need to pot a few goals during the four-minute high-stick call against Eetu Luostarinen at 5:25 in the third. But after David Pastrnak scored at 6:20 to cut Florida’s lead to two, Marchand wiped out Boston’s man advantage with a costly interference penalty. Can’t have that with momentum building on your side. 

PLAY OF THE GAME

LOOSE PUCKS

This marked just the third time all season that the Bruins have tailed by three goals in a single contest. They’re still 1-2-0 in those games, thanks to that late comeback down in Pittsburgh. 

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will now return to TD Garden for their annual Black Friday matchup — where they will host the club that ended their 2021-22 season in the Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m.