Follow usCharlie McAvoy contributed a goal and an assist to help the Boston Bruins avoid elimination with a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night in Sunrise, Florida.
Despite the win, the Bruins still trail the best-of-seven series 3-2 as they head into Game 6, which will take place on Friday night in Boston.
Morgan Geekie also found the net, and Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves for the Bruins. This win was crucial for Boston, as the team has historically struggled to overturn a 3-1 series deficit in a best-of-seven format, having failed in all 25 previous attempts.
Sam Reinhart scored the lone goal for the Panthers, while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 shots. The Panthers had built a strong series lead with three consecutive wins before this game.
Boston was without their captain, Brad Marchand, for the second straight game. Marchand was sidelined after suffering a hit to the head by the Panthers’ Sam Bennett late in Game 3. Despite his absence, Marchand remains tied with Jake DeBrusk for the Bruins’ postseason points lead, both contributing significantly with Marchand tallying three goals and seven assists and DeBrusk adding five goals and five assists.
The Bruins’ victory ensures the series continues, and they will look to leverage home-ice advantage in their quest to force a Game 7.
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