Matt Ross: FLA vs BOS: Rd 1, Gm 2

If the Panther players are considered inferior to the Boston players, why do we have them on our team? Tyler Bertuzzi intimidated the Panthers, it's time for payback.

It's time for Sam Bennett to quit being a wussy. You had enough time off for a groin injury, it's time to man up and help your team out.

Like the cowardly lion, Barkov should visit the Wizard of Oz and gain some courage. If you are going to be the captain of the team, act like one.

Barkov for Auston Matthews?

Well, I said in the game 1 comments, the first five minutes will be indicative. Two penalties (to zero) and giving up a power play goal. Panthers just don't have the head, or preparation, for this playoff series (or the last 3 apparently).

Matt, you pointed out two major mistakes and you are correct. However, take those away and you still have a 1-1 game. The Panthers need to score to win and they're not doing that. Meanwhile, Boston didn't make any significant mistakes. Too much board battles and unnecessary dumping of the puck -- many times when they're not even in a position to compete to reclaim possession.

If the Panthers have any hopes of winning any games, they need to jump on the Bruins and put some goals on the board. Playing the comeback game isn't going to do it. They can't afford tentative starts and feeling out periods, they need to pressure from the initial puck drop.

Again, tonight, the first five minutes will determine where this one goes. Lose tonight and it's all she wrote. I'd say "stay out of the box and win" but we can't score and the power play looks terrible again. So If PoMo can just improve the offense, the defense, and the goaltending, we should be OK.

Go Panthers!

Bennett is back! That’s a big boost for the Panthers.
Lyon starts in goal again.
Pretty much as close to a “must-win” as a game 2 can get for FL

@KatieEngleson
Panthers lines this AM ahead of game 2-
Verhaeghe-Barkov-Duclair
Luostarinen-Bennett-Tkachuk
Lomberg-Lundell-Reinhart
Cousins-Staal-White
Forsling-Ekblad
Staal-Montour
Maura-Gudas
Lyon/Bob

Bennett being back helps settle out the other lines. If Duclair doesn’t start clicking on Barkov’s line1, maybe switch him up with rhino
Gotta get all three of them going tonight.

The more of the game played 5v5, the better for FL’s chances

The only change I would make to the second line is I would have Lomberg on my left wing instead of Luostarinen. That would be a tenacious line!

Bennett is back! That’s a big boost for the Panthers.
Lyon starts in goal again.
Pretty much as close to a “must-win” as a game 2 can get for FL

@KatieEngleson
Panthers lines this AM ahead of game 2-
Verhaeghe-Barkov-Duclair
Luostarinen-Bennett-Tkachuk
Lomberg-Lundell-Reinhart
Cousins-Staal-White
Forsling-Ekblad
Staal-Montour
Maura-Gudas
Lyon/Bob

Bennett being back helps settle out the other lines. If Duclair doesn’t start clicking on Barkov’s line1, maybe switch him up with rhino
Gotta get all three of them going tonight.
- Ratsreign

Huge boost getting Bennett back!

Just need to hit the dang net! I agree that Ullmark wasnt really given difficult shots and situations. you are going to win very close to zero games only scoring one goal. I bought me and the wife both our 1st (authentic) jerseys and so far they havent paid any dividends. lets go boys!

My prediction:

2-1 Panthers

Good first period. Sweating through those penalties though…

Total intimidation

Total intimidation
- harveykline

Cats looking good and holding their own so far IMO

Terrible turnover.

At least the Panthers are giving them a fight.

At least the Panthers are giving them a fight.
- madhatter56

Forget giving a fight. Florida is taking the series.

The only change I would make to the second line is I would have Lomberg on my left wing instead of Luostarinen. That would be a tenacious line!
- madhatter56

Could call it the extinguisher line! All x Flames!

That was a great all-around team effort. You know the Bruins are pissed off now. Berergeron will definitely be back on Friday. The Panthers will have to be on their toes and keep up the pace.

Could call it the extinguisher line! All x Flames!
- K-man25

I bet you wish you had them back.

I loved all the chirping at the end of the game, Man this is playoff hockey at its best!

As you saw last night, Tkachuk, Lomberg, Gudas, and Staal were in playoff hockey mode. firing their team up. While Sasha, Duclair, and Reinhart sat quietly on the bench. Do you call Barkov a captain?

Well done. Bruins are massively over-rated and if you keep them off their game like last night the series is yours. Keep it going and agitate the hell out of them.

As you saw last night, Tkachuk, Lomberg, Gudas, and Staal were in playoff hockey mode. firing their team up. While Sasha, Duclair, and Reinhart sat quietly on the bench. Do you call Barkov a captain?
- madhatter56

Montour’s go ahead goal doesn’t happen if Barkov doesn’t go get the puck in behind the net, and then go to the front and screen Ullmark. Gudas, Tkachuk, and the rest admiringly call him Captain. I don’t get why many are so worried about he’s not rah-rah enough, or mean enough, or whatever. The players all respect him and there are the other leaders on the team along with him, I just don’t get ytf some are so concerned over it. Even after a great playoff win