Bruins-Panthers Game 1: No Bergeron, No Problem
Bruins-Panthers Game 1 played out just the way fans expected, even thought Patrice Bergeron wasn’t in the lineup. To be sure, the Bruins were missing their captain on the ice….
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 17: Alex Lyon #34 of the Florida Panthers makes a save against Tyler Bertuzzi #59 of the Boston Bruins during the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Bruins-Panthers Game 1 played out just the way fans expected, even thought Patrice Bergeron wasn't in the lineup.
To be sure, the Bruins were missing their captain on the ice. His presence both sets the tone and dictates the team's flow. And his ability to move the puck out of the defensive zone has been an integral part of the success of the Bruins in the years he's played on the team. Because the NHL is so persnickety about reporting injuries, it's still not clear if Bergeron is out because of a lingering injury or if he's succumbed to the recent bug that's been plaguing the Bruins locker room.
Either way, the B's were able to notch a W without their captain. David Pastrnak scored in the first en route to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of their series in the opening round of the NHL Playoffs. And it was a game where role players stepped up. As the Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont posted on Twitter, Charlie McAvoy had a game-high 8 hits, and Dmitry Orlov led the team with 5 shots on net in 9 attempts. An encouraging start to the series and good sign early on in the team's Cup run.
Bruins-Panthers Game 1: No Bergeron, No Problem
I rounded up some highlights from the game below, just as I did for the Celtics in Game 1 of their opening series in the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks. You can check those out here. You'll find both teams in my upcoming edition of the 12-Inch Poll, too. It's exciting to have both the Bruins and Celtics in the playoffs this spring. And it's even more exciting to think that both teams have a really good shot at winning it all. I'll take either one winning, but I'd prefer both!
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game One
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins checks Marc Staal #18 of the Florida Panthers during the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game One
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Dmitry Orlov #81 of the Boston Bruins shoots the puck against Alex Lyon #34 of the Florida Panthers during the third period of Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game One
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Alex Lyon #34 of the Florida Panthers makes a save against Tyler Bertuzzi #59 of the Boston Bruins during the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game One
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after he scored against the Florida Panthers during the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game One
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Garnet Hathaway #21 of the Boston Bruins and Colin White #6 of the Florida Panthers shove each other during the second period of Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game One
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins makes a save against the Florida Panthers during the second period of Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins won 3-1. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game One
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins and teammate Jeremy Swayman #1 celebrate a win against the Florida Panthers after Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins won 3-1. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins - Game One
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: The Boston Bruins celebrate a goal by Garnet Hathaway #21 against the Florida Panthers during the third period that was eventually called back after video review during Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins won 3-1. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
