The Florida Panthers took a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Bruins with a thrilling 3-2 victory on Sunday night. Aleksander Barkov’s go-ahead goal, where he slipped past three Bruins defenders, proved to be the difference-maker in the game.
After falling behind 2-0 early in the game, the Panthers rallied with goals from Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell, and Barkov to secure the win. Bennett’s goal, which tied the game at 2-all, was a point of contention as the Bruins challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal stood after a replay review.
The Bruins, playing without their captain Brad Marchand, now find themselves on the brink of elimination, needing to win three straight games to stay alive in the playoffs. Despite a strong performance from goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who made 39 saves, Boston couldn’t hold off the Panthers’ relentless attack.
The Panthers will have the opportunity to close out the series at home in Game 5 on Tuesday night. With the momentum firmly on their side, Florida will look to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the chance to compete for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. The Bruins, on the other hand, face an uphill battle as they fight to keep their playoff hopes alive.