The Bruins reiterated that we would judge their record season of 65 wins and 135 points by their run in the playoffs. This magical season just fell through.
• Also read: [À VOIR] In tears, Patrice Bergeron receives hugs from all his teammates after the loss
The Florida Panthers defied logic by beating Boston in the first round of the playoffs in seven games. Carter Verhaeghe scored the decisive goal in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime win at TD Garden.
“No one in the world believed we could do it,” winger Matthew Tkachuk told Sportsnet in an on-ice interview. I missed a chance early in extra time but we found a way to win. »
Tkachuk, who had a phenomenal streak, had missed a breakaway in the opening seconds of overtime. He redeemed himself fairly quickly by getting an assist on Verhaeghe’s crucial goal.
With 92 points, the Panthers finished the season in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and secured their ticket in the final days of the calendar. They had accumulated 43 fewer points than Boston.
To go with an old cliché, series always represent a new season. Jim Montgomery and the Bruins cruelly realized it.
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Like Tampa
The Bruins’ quick exit is strangely similar to the Lightning’s in spring 2019. Four years ago, the Tampa Bay had equaled the Detroit Red Wings’ (1995-1996) record with 62 wins. But the Columbus Blue Jackets had erased that glorious season by eliminating them in the first round of the playoffs with a four-game win.
Sergei Bobrovsky was the Blue Jackets goaltender at the time. Ironically, the Russian contributed to another David victory over Goliath. This time he wore the jersey of the Panthers.
Bergeron’s sadness
At the end of the meeting there was a very strong image. Like last season, after his team’s seven-game elimination in the first round against the Carolina Hurricanes, Patrice Bergeron greeted each of his teammates before entering his team’s locker room.
His eyes watered as he hugged his longtime accomplice Brad Marchand.
The Quebecer revealed to local colleagues in Boston that he was playing despite a herniated disc.
This scene will reignite the debate as to whether the Bruins captain could tick off a wonderful career. Bergeron, 37, is one of the all-time greats in the history of this concession. But if he retired, he would leave with a bad grade.
Bergeron was injured in the first four games of the series and only took part in three games against the Panthers. The Bruins lost three games.
Mount twice
The Bruins led the series 3-1. They also held their fortunes with a 3-2 lead late in the third period in Game 7.
However, Brandon Montour changed plans by equalizing in the third period with 60 seconds left. The Panthers defenseman scored twice against Jeremy Swayman, who received a vote of confidence from Montgomery for the ultimate game.
First period
1-Flo: Brandon Montour (4) (Lundell, Bobrovsky) AN-12:23
Penalties: Cousins (Flo) 5:24, Marchand (Bos) 7:18, Hall (Bos) 10:30, Bennett (Flo) 11:33, Carlo (Bos) 11:33
second period
2-Flo: Sam Reinhart (4) (Luostarinen, Lundell) 1:14
3-Bos: David Krejci (1)(Orlov, Zacha)AN-7:52
Penalties: Staal (Flo) 6:03, Montour (Flo) 15:34, Montour (Flo) 19:14
third period
4-Bos: Tyler Bertuzzi (5)(Orlov, Krejci)AN-0:55
5-Bos: David Pastrnak (5) (Carlo, Krejci) 4:11
6-Flo: Brandon Montour (5)(Barkov, Verhaeghe)19:00
Penalties: McAvoy (Bos) 10:48
renewal
7-Flo: Carter Verhaeghe (2) (Bennett, Tkachuk)8:35
Punishment: No punishment
Shoot the net
Florida 11-5-10-5-31 Boston 9-13-9-5-36
Guardian:
Flo: Sergei Bobrovsky (G, 3-1) Bos: Jeremy Swayman (P, 0-1)
Numerical advantages:
Flo: 1 out of 3, Bos: 2 out of 4
Referee:
Steve Kozari, Chris Lee
linesman:
David Brisebois, Jonny Murray
HELP:
17,850