Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers Picks and Predictions October 14th 2024

Sam Bennett, Panthers Look to Topple Bruins Again

Six days after their season-opening clash in Sunrise, Fla., the Boston Bruins will host the Florida Panthers in a Monday matinee, renewing an increasingly heated Atlantic Division rivalry. The Panthers got the better of the Bruins in the first meeting this season, but both teams have had contrasting trajectories since then.

Panthers vs. Bruins: A Growing Rivalry

The Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins have seen their rivalry intensify in recent seasons. The Panthers lost all four regular-season matchups against the Bruins in the 2023-24 campaign but avenged those losses by eliminating Boston in six games during the second round of the playoffs. That series win marked the second consecutive year the Bruins were knocked out by Florida, fueling the tension between the two teams.

In their first encounter of the new season, the Panthers grabbed a 6-4 victory, led by Sam Bennett, who scored twice during a four-goal first period. Bennett’s performance set the tone for Florida’s aggressive start, allowing them to control much of the game.

“I think there’s a bit of a rivalry there and it’s continuously growing,” Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues said after the win. “They play hard. They’re well-coached. They’re structured. They play the game the right way. I think you have two teams battling it out.”

Bruins Finding Their Stride

Since that loss, the Bruins have found their footing, winning two straight games. They most recently secured a 2-1 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. While Boston hasn’t put together a full 60-minute game yet, according to head coach Jim Montgomery, there have been positive signs of improvement.

David Pastrnak has continued his impressive form, scoring the game-winner against Los Angeles, marking his third goal in as many games this season. But the biggest takeaway from the win was the return of Matt Poitras, who played in his first game since undergoing shoulder surgery in February. Poitras also missed the first two games of the current season due to an undisclosed injury but made a strong impact upon his return.

“I thought that’s the best game he’s played as an NHL player, including some two-goal games last year,” Montgomery said of the 20-year-old Poitras. “For his first game back, it was special. … You saw the strength in his skating through the whole shift. That’s a significant difference from last year.”

Poitras notched an assist on Pastrnak’s game-winning goal and was perfect in the faceoff circle, going 3-for-3.

“Obviously, he hadn’t played a meaningful game for a long time,” Pastrnak said of Poitras. “It’s never easy to be injured, so we’re happy he’s back. It’s incredible how strong on the puck he is for his size.”

Panthers Looking to Rebound

In contrast to Boston’s resurgence, the Panthers have stumbled since their opening win, dropping their last two games. Most recently, they fell 5-2 to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday in a game where they were missing key players Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and Matthew Tkachuk (illness).

Despite the absence of two of their top players, head coach Paul Maurice wasn’t using injuries as an excuse.

“We’ve won a bunch of hockey games in the past without them in our lineup,” Maurice said. “We have to play a style that will allow that to happen. I think we were at that in our first two games, but we weren’t (on Saturday).”

Nate Schmidt scored his first goal of the season to open the scoring for Florida, and Bennett added his third goal of the campaign later in the game, cementing his status as one of the Panthers’ most reliable offensive contributors.

Saturday’s game also marked the return of Spencer Knight to the Panthers’ net for the first time since he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in February 2023. Knight made 22 saves in his comeback performance, and while the result didn’t go Florida’s way, Knight is staying positive.

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“It’s a long season, a long career, hopefully,” Knight said. “You just kind of stick with it. You go over the good and the bad, move on, and then just keep battling.”

Key Players to Watch

• Sam Bennett (Panthers): Bennett has been Florida’s most dangerous player through the early part of the season, leading the team with three goals. His strong performance in the first meeting with Boston set the tone for the Panthers, and he’ll be crucial in their attempt to repeat that success.
• David Pastrnak (Bruins): Pastrnak has started the season on fire, scoring three goals in as many games. As one of Boston’s key offensive threats, his ability to deliver in big moments will be essential against a tough Florida team.
• Matt Poitras (Bruins): After missing significant time due to injury, Poitras made an impressive return against the Kings. His playmaking and strong puck possession make him a player to watch as he continues to regain his form.
• Spencer Knight (Panthers): Knight’s return to the crease is an important storyline for Florida. While his first game back didn’t result in a win, Knight’s performance and confidence will be vital for the Panthers moving forward.

Looking Ahead

The Panthers hope to have both Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk back in the lineup soon. Barkov, the reigning Selke Trophy winner, is a key part of Florida’s game on both ends of the ice, and the team will need his presence as they look to get back on track. Florida is optimistic that Barkov will be ready to play in the upcoming NHL Global Series in his native Finland in November.

As the Panthers and Bruins prepare for their second meeting of the season, both teams will be looking to gain momentum. For the Panthers, a win would break their current skid, while the Bruins hope to continue building on their recent successes. With both teams jockeying for position in the Atlantic Division, Monday’s game is shaping up to be another heated chapter in this growing rivalry.