Bruins-Panthers Game 6: Three key to victory with B’s season at stake
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Bruins-Panthers Game 6: Three key to victory with B’s season at stake originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins are still alive in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but to force a Game 7 on Sunday, they’ll need to protect home ice against the Florida Panthers in Game 6 on Friday night.
That has proven to be quite a challenge for the B’s. They have lost five consecutive home playoff games versus the Panthers dating back to last season, including Games 3 and 4 of this series.
The Bruins have a minus-8 goal differential (16 goals for, 24 against) in their last six postseason games versus the Panthers at TD Garden.
If this trend doesn’t reverse in Game 6, the Bruins’ season will be over.
Here are three keys to victory for the Bruins
Swayman needs to give another stellar performance
The Bruins have scored two or fewer goals in seven of their last eight games. Therefore, Swayman’s margin for error has been incredibly slim. Luckily for the Bruins, he’s consistently risen to the occasion.
The 25-year-old netminder has been the best player at his position in the entire playoffs. He leads all goalies with a .933 save percentage and 10.75 goals saved above expected, per Natural Stat Trick.
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Swayman’s stellar save in the final seconds of Game 5 extended the Bruins’ season.
Unless the Bruins find a way to produce more 5-on-5 offense and/or fix their power-play issues, Swayman will need to be brilliant again for the Original Six club to extend its season further.
He has given up two goals or fewer in eight of his 11 starts this postseason, so there’s good reason to believe he’ll give the team a chance Friday night.
Win the special…
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