This was the best the Boston Bruins could have hoped for.
Forget how it looked, the numbers on the scoreboard. Ultimately, the Bruins and Florida Panthers leave Sunrise tied 1-1 in their best-of-seven playoff series. The job is done, for the first two games. Job’s obviously not close to finished, but the B’s have seized home-ice advantage and avoided the dreaded 0-2 hole.
That said, there are things to clean up from Game 2 and to watch for heading into Game 3. Here’s a look at what we’ve got our eye on, as the series shifts to Boston Friday night…
Shake It Up?
Game 2 tilted in the Panthers’ favor almost instantly after head coach Paul Maurice switched up his forward lines. In actuality, he went back to the usual after the real shake-up came at the end of the first round against Tampa Bay.
Once the Panthers reunited captain Aleksander Barkov with wingers Vladimir Tarasenko and Sam Reinhart, and centered Anton Lundell between wingers Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe, they took over. The Tkachuk-Lundell-Verhaeghe line was especially dominant at 5-on-5…
— 14-1 shot attempts (93.3%)
— 4-1 shots on goal
— 1-0 goals
Do the Bruins have an answer for this? Unfortunately, their best recourse may be to lean on having last change at home for Games 3-4. The one forward group that may benefit from a change is the one driven by David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha, where Morgan Geekie has played center in recent games. Moving Zacha back to center and shifting Jake DeBrusk to this line might be an option.
TEMPE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 09: Matt Grzelcyk #48 of the Boston Bruins passes the puck during the NHL game at Mullett Arena on January 09, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Bruins 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
If anything, the shakeup should come on defense. Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery may be tempted to reinsert Matt Grzelcyk into the lineup, a move that would most certainly be met with a polarizing reaction.
Grzelcyk would be susceptible to the Panthers’ forecheck and their bigger forwards, but he’s also more dependable than Derek Forbort when it comes to speed, breakouts, and general puck movement. But if the personnel stays the same, it would behoove Montgomery to try fresh pairings.
As for possible changes among the forwards, Montgomery should seriously consider Jakub Lauko for the fourth line. The 24-year-old forward would give the Bruins a jolt of speed, energy, and intensity, which could help in all three zones. Lauko in for Jesper Boqvist is a move to ponder.
What’s Up With McAvoy?
May 8, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) moves the puck between the leg of Florida Panthers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (10) during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
It’s clear, at this point, that the Bruins need to do something about Charlie McAvoy and his glaring struggles.
McAvoy had the worst on-ice Corsi% at 5-on-5 of all Bruins defensemen in Game 2, at an ugly 20% (4 shot attempts for, 16 against). The Bruins were out-shot 6-2 and outscored 2-1 with McAvoy on the ice at 5-on-5, and was at the center of both goals allowed, losing his stick on one and screening his own goalie on the other.
This sequence highlighted on X, however, shows why McAvoy’s issues seem more mental than physical. McAvoy hasn’t looked slow or unwilling to hit people, but his decision-making with the puck has been vexing at times. The B’s desperately need him to get his game under control, even if he is playing through an undisclosed injury.
Benching McAvoy feels too drastic, although if he’s not going to play any better, how much worse would Kevin Shattenkirk be? But if Montgomery wants to mix up his defensive pairings, perhaps a brief demotion to a lower pair could spark McAvoy. His play has deteriorated to the point of being a problem, much less not making an impact.
Keep It Together
May 6, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Justin Brazeau (55) celebrates after scoring against Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
A betting man would put money down on the Bruins shaking things up on the forward lines, but if any trio should stay together, it should be the third line of James van Riemdsyk, Trent Frederic, and Justin Brazeau.
Over the first two games of the series, the line has come out even at 5-on-5 when it comes to shot attempts (7-7) and goals (1-1). But the group has shown a more consistent ability to get the puck deep into the Florida zone and generate a hard forecheck. They’ve reminded us that the Panthers can be just as vulnerable to that form of offensive attack, if you can just get down there.
The top-six could use a shake-up and there may be guys swapped in and out on the fourth line. But JVR-Frederic-Brazeau have shown little reason to break them up.
Reaching The Peeke
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MARCH 26: Andrew Peeke #52 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on March 26, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Few Bruins fans may have thought they’d say this back when the Bruins traded for Andrew Peeke, but they could really use him back in the lineup.
Montgomery reportedly said Peeke is “getting closer” to full health for the Bruins. This implies that once available, Peeke’s back in, but also that he may not be available as soon as Game 3.
But inserting Peeke for Forbort feels like a no-brainer. Parker Wotherspoon stays in and slides comfortably to the left side, and the Bruins maintain their shot-blocking presence on the third pairing, while adding a bit of ability to skate and police the net-front.
But if Peeke still isn’t ready to return, it’ll be interesting to see if Forbort stays or comes out for a different option – which would inevitably be a different style of player.
Answering The Bell
May 8, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) moves the puck as Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) defends during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
A brief thought on the fighting in Game 2 and how it relates to Game 3 … Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk ought to have to answer for hitting David Pastrnak while he was down. The problem is, the B’s would have to hope he is stupid about it.
Pat Maroon or Trent Frederic would make the most sense to fight Tkachuk, in terms of weight class. But it would be unwise for Tkachuk to accept that trade-off, which would be a win for the Bruins regardless of who won the fight itself. It may take one of the Bruins’ key players to step up. McAvoy, Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and Brandon Carlo come to mind.
Either way, Tkachuk can’t just be allowed to get away with the cheap shots on a player he knew he could pick on and beat up. Make him take on someone his own size. Hard to believe Game 3 won’t eventually go in that direction, no matter who ends up dropping the gloves.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
