BSJ Game Report, Gm. 3: Bruins 4, Panthers 2 - B's take crucial Game 3 without Bergeron, Krejci

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 4-2 to the Florida Panthers, who retook the lead in the first-round series, 2-1, with BSJ insight and analysis…

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Big third period lifts Bruins over Panthers: The Bruins returned to their details and structure in a pivotal 4-2 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 3 without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, a late scratch.

The B’s put up two straight early in the third before the Cats got two back late. 

Taylor Hall had a goal and an assist, and Dmitry Orlov and Jake DeBrusk each had two assists. Linus Ullmark made 29 saves.

Gustav Forsling and Sam Reinhart each scored for Florida. Alex Lyon stopped 23 of 26 shots before Sergei Bobrovsky stopped eight of nine in relief.

Hall opened the scoring just 2:26 into the game with a wrister off the rush from distance. Lyon got a piece of it with his glove, but not enough.

Charlie Coyle doubled the lead in the second after a gritty shift from the top line. Brad Marchand won a puck battle at the half-wall before Coyle, fighting for body position in front, redirected the shot past Lyon.

David Pastrnak got in behind the defense before beating Lyon low, glove-side on the rush in the early half of the third, and Nick Foligno extended it to 4-0 just over three minutes later when he went forehand-backhand on the rush. 

Forsling converted on a shorthanded 2-on-1 to cut it to 4-1 before Reinhart made it 4-2 with the goalie pulled late. The whistle apparently blew right before the puck went in, but the call on the ice was a good goal, which stood. 

FOUR UP

Charlie Coyle: Coyle was one of the best skaters for Boston once again. Quite the series for him so far. It was what you’d expect to see from Coyle. Using his frame to establish body position and fight for inside ice, getting a stick on Marchand’s shot for a perfect deflection. Shots were 12-7 at 5-on-5 with Coyle on the ice and scoring chances were 9-6. 

Linus Ullmark: Ullmark was a game-time decision after some apparently sluggish moments in Game 2. Even with the uncertainty around his status, Ullmark turned out another good outing for the B’s, denying 10 of 12 high-danger chances and outperforming his 3.41 expected goals-against.

Charlie McAvoy: McAvoy continued a trend through the first two games, playing as a one-man wrecking crew in Game 3 for the Bruins. He led the team with eight hits, including a bone-crunching blow right off the opening face-off to help set the tone. That’s physicality that can go a long way in a playoff series. 

Dmitry Orlov: The snarly Russian bounced back from an up-and-down first two games of the series. His two assists were pin-point stretch passes, first to Hall and then to Pastrnak. The B's outscored the Cats, 2-0, with No. 81 out there at 5-on-5. Shots favored them, 8-5. 

ONE DOWN: 

Fourth line: The Jakub Lauko-Tomas Nosek-Garnet Hathaway line couldn’t seem to find a rhythm in this one. Boston had a sub-37 percent share of shot attempts with Lauko and Hathaway on the ice, and Nosek was at 26.09. He also had a glaring giveaway up the middle in the t

PLAY OF THE GAME

Pastrnak’s goal was pivotal insurance as Florida wound up getting into it. It’s also yet another glove-side goal on Lyon. Low glove, in particular. 

LOOSE PUCKS

Aaron Ekblad did not return for the third period after a collision with McAvoy in the second. It would be a significant loss for the Panthers if he misses an extended period. Panthers coach Paul Maurice said they'll know more tomorrow.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins are back in action on Sunday for Game 4 against the Panthers. Puck-drop is set for 3:30 p.m. at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla.