Bruins vs. Panthers Game 1 live blog: Video highlights and analysis originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
BOSTON — The time has come for the Boston Bruins to begin their journey in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the first opponent standing in their way is the Florida Panthers.
They are a formidable opponent.
The Panthers ranked sixth in goals scored, 10th on the power play and have a legit Hart Trophy candidate in left wing superstar Matthew Tkachuk. But the challenge facing the Panthers is immense. Only one team has ever upset a 60-win opponent in the first round — the 2019 Columbus Blue Jackets over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blue Jackets’ goalie in that series was Sergei Bobrovsky, who now plays for the Panthers.
Bruins have more than just another Stanley Cup title at stake in 2023 playoffs
But it won’t be Bobrovsky in net Monday night for Game 1 of this Bruins-Panthers series. Alex Lyon, who went 6-1-1 with a .943 save percentage over the final two weeks of the regular season to help get the Panthers in the playoffs, will make his first career postseason start.
The Bruins’ lineup is a little up in the air right now. A bug is going around the team, and it has caused several players to get sick. First-line center Patrice Bergeron and No. 1 goalie Linus Ullmark are TBD to play in the series opener (as of this writing). However, second-line center David Krejci and veteran defenseman Derek Forbort will be back in the lineup. Fourth-line left wing Nick Foligno could return as well.
The Bruins had a memorable regular season in which they set NHL records for the most wins and the most points in a single campaign. Will they carry that success into the playoffs and win another Stanley Cup title?
It all starts tonight.
Keep it right here with our Bruins-Panthers Game 1 live blog for all of the highlights, analysis and score updates from the Garden.
6:02 p.m.: Panthers players appear to be relishing the underdog role.
5:45 p.m.: Here are some links to our series preview stories.
5:30 p.m. ET: Here’s a hype video from the Bruins to get this live blog started.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
