Bruins Game-Breaker: Panthers’ Barkov catches stunned B’s on their heels
Sam Bennett’s controversial goal in Game 4 against the Bruins will no doubt dominate the conversation.
But it was only the tying goal.
The B’s still had a chance to retake the lead on Sunday night at TD Garden. But instead, familiar on-ice problems resurfaced when Aleksander Barkov slashed right through the defense and beat goaltender Jeremy Swayman for the eventual game-winning goal in a 3-2 Florida win. Barkov caught a vulnerable Bruins team on their heels and made them pay, in a moment that will unfortunately be overshadowed by the goal that came before it.
But again, it was tied. The Bruins did not have to lose an offensive zone faceoff. They did not need defenseman Charlie McAvoy to pinch at the red line, where he took himself out of the play as Vladimir Tarasenko got rid of the puck. They did not need Mason Lohrei to chip the puck back to Barkov in an attempt to clear it. They did not need all their forwards to get caught chasing the point-per-game Panthers captain.
And yet those things all happened in a span of about eight seconds, and Barkov lit the lamp. Just like that, the Bruins were once again losing to a superior team, and are now left fighting for their season in Sunrise, Fla. on Tuesday night.
The Bruins did not generate another shot on goal for the rest of regulation, 12 minutes and change. It certainly appeared that Bennett’s power play goal, which was dubiously upheld after a goaltender interference challenge, deflated the Bruins to the point of losing whatever focus, whatever juice they had left. And yes, Barkov’s goal was an outstanding individual effort by a world-class player.
But if the B’s had any hope of winning Game 4, let alone coming back to win the series, they simply had to overcome the adversity presented to them. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.
MORE: Bruins react to controversial Sam Bennett goal
Toronto’s ruling of no goalie interference was beyond their control. What was in their control was winning a faceoff, maintaining their defensive structure, clearing the puck from danger, disrupting an individual rush.
They picked a bad time for all those things to come up short. And now they really have a lot to overcome.
Game 5 between the Bruins and Panthers takes place on Tuesday night at Amerant Bank Arena, with a start time of 7 p.m. ET.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.