Final: Panthers 4, Bruins 3 - Lundell and Reinhart both score multiple goals in frustrating loss for Bruins

In a game that didn't include Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, the Boston Bruins once again fell to the Florida Panthers 4-3. It was a frustrating and sloppy game, as the Panthers took advantage of multiple mistakes and outplayed Boston on special teams. The Bruins were the first team to get on the scoreboard, as John Beecher connected with the puck in front of the net to give Boston an early 1-0 lead.

A few minutes later, Mason Lohrei possessed the puck behind the Bruin's net on a 4-on-4 scenario. Facing pressure, Lohrei decided to pass the puck back to Hampus Lindholm, resulting in a turnover and second chance goal from Anton Lundell that tied the game for Florida. Then things started to get chippy. Former Bruin AJ Greer hit David Pastrnak from behind the numbers leaving Pastrnak on the ice for a brief moment. Tensions began to flare on both sides and no call was made on the play. Then Charlie McAvoy received a cross-checking penalty a shift after the hit, and Florida got their first goal of the game seconds into their power play attempt. In the second period, Boston seemed to get their momentum back as Brandon Carlo sniped a goal from the point to tie the game up.

Midway through the period, the Bruins got on the power play after AJ Greer committed an interference penalty. With the second power play unit on the ice, Matthew Poitras turned over the puck in the offensive zone and Sam Reinhart scored a shorthanded goal, his second of the game. Another turnover in the neutral zone would then lead to Lundell's second goal of the game, leaving Boston in a two-goal hole. Lohrei redeemed himself minutes later as the young defenseman danced by his defender at the point and netted a left side goal which brought Boston within one goal of Florida. 

This ended up being the final goal of the game for both sides. Boston had another chance on the power play to tie the game, but nothing transpired. The Bruins were unable to generate much offense from their top nine forwards, even leading Jim Montgomery to switch up his second and third lines. That along with the turnovers and penalties committed by Boston made it difficult for them to win this game against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Bruins will now start a three game road trip this week starting out in Colorado. The puck drop for their game against the Avalanche will be 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

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WHO: Bruins (2-1-0) vs Panthers (1-2-0)
WHEN: 1 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

LIVE BOX SCORE

ROSTERS

PROJECTED LINES

Boston

Zacha - E. Lindholm - Pastrnak 

Marchand - Coyle - Geekie

Frederic - Poitras - Brazeau

Beecher - Kastelic - Kopeke

Zadorov - McAvoy

H. Lindholm - Carlo

Lohrei - Peeke

Swayman

Korpisalo

PREGAME NOTES

The Bruins take on the Florida Panthers for the second time this season looking to get revenge after losing to the defending Stanley Cup champions on opening night 6-4. Matthew Tkachuk is out of the lineup for the Panthers dealing with an illness. Tkachuk didn’t play in the Panthers’ Saturday 5-2 loss at Buffalo. 

The Bruins conclude their three-game home stand today vs. Florida (2-0-0). They will next face a three-game road trip to Colorado on Oct. 16, at Utah on Oct. 19, and at Nashville on Oct. 22.

The Bruins won their first overtime decision on Saturday vs the Los Angeles Kings. Elias Lindholm scored in the second period and David Pastrnak scored for his third straight game at 3:07 of overtime.