Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures
Following a record-setting common season wherein they scored essentially the most factors of any workforce in NHL historical past, the Boston Bruins obtained their postseason off to an important begin with a 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers at TD Backyard in Boston.
Because it did all through many of the season, it was Boston’s offense that pushed it excessive, serving to the workforce overcome a formidable efficiency by Florida’s Alex Lyon in web.
Lyon, who was making his playoff debut after having a big impact for the Panthers over the ultimate stretch of the yr, had 26 saves nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient.
It was a battle of the final two Presidents’ Trophy winners and MVP contender David Pastrňáokay embraced the problem as he continued his excellent season by opening the scoring halfway by way of the primary interval.
Pastrňáokay completed second within the league with 61 targets. He trailed solely Edmonton’s Connor McDavid. He was additionally tied for third with 113 factors. Boston followers might be glad to see that his manufacturing is translating to the postseason.
Brad Marchand scored Boston’s second objective and after Matthew Tkachuk lower into the 2-0 deficit, Jake Debrusk took benefit of Lyon not noticing the puck on his pads and pushed it in to revive the two-goal benefit that it’d by no means surrender.
Maybe the star of the evening was Tyler Bertuzzi, who completed with two assists and was all around the ice. He was a headache for the Panthers all evening lengthy in his first style of playoff hockey.
The Bruins are massive favorites to win the collection over Florida as they appear to develop into the primary workforce for the reason that 2013 Chicago Blackhawks to win the President’s Trophy and Stanley Cup in the identical season.
Twitter heaped reward on Bertuzzi and the NHL’s greatest squad for the dominant efficiency.
Boston Bruins @NHLBruins
#NHLBRUINS WIN GAME 1!!! pic.twitter.com/PVDzCvSIMS
Mike @PastrnakGOAT
If that is the consequence with our total roster sick and our captain lacking, I am scared to see what we will really do. Ullmark rock stable, Bertuzzi the perfect participant on the ice tonight, throughout glorious win contemplating the circumstances.
Boston Bruins @NHLBruins
The feeeeed. 🍝 pic.twitter.com/zoEh433idx
Ian McLaren @iancmclaren
Bertuzzi has been Boston’s greatest ahead tonight and I am very right here for it.
Nicholas W. Goss @NickGossNBCSB
Bertuzzi with an incredible cross to arrange Pastrnak’s PP objective.
Ty Anderson @_TyAnderson
Stated on the radio in the present day that I had a sense Tyler Bertuzzi would have a great run. Off to a great begin right here. Two helpers by way of two intervals.
Max Bultman @m_bultman
In information that actually everybody noticed coming, Tyler Bertuzzi with two factors in his first two intervals of NHL playoff hockey
Scott McLaughlin @smclaughlin9
1-0 Bruins. Stunning play by Bertuzzi to gather that rebound and throw a cross behind his again proper to Pastrnak.
Maybe what’s most spectacular from Monday evening’s win is that the Bruins have been in a position to do it with out their captain Patrice Bergeron, who was out with an higher physique harm that he suffered within the common season finale.
It is scary to think about what a full energy squad will be capable to do.
Recreation two of the collection is about for Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET.
