Florida Panthers Take Control with Back-to-Back Wins Over Bruins - The Hockey Writers

Panthers dominate Bruins in Games 2 and 3, seizing control of series. Forsling shuts down Pastřnák, Panthers imposing will physically.

The Boston Bruins' Game 1 victory over the Florida Panthers may have seemed like a fleeting moment of success, as the Panthers have since taken control of the series with dominant performances in Games 2 and 3. Despite holding just a 2-1 series lead, the Panthers have showcased their superiority on the ice.

The Panthers have been cruising at five-on-five, boasting a deeper and more talented roster than the Bruins. Through three games, they have maintained a 56.86 expected goals percentage (xG%) and a significant shot attempt advantage of 160-102. Their dominance has been evident, even in their Game 1 loss.

In Game 2, the Panthers outplayed the Bruins with a 51-26 shot attempt advantage and an xG% of over 70 percent. They managed to break through the Bruins' defense and outscored them 4-1 at five-on-five. Coach Paul Maurice's strategic adjustments, including reuniting the Tkachuk, Lundell, and Verhaeghe line, proved to be effective once again.

Game 3 saw the Panthers continue their strong performance, particularly on the power play. Despite most of their scoring opportunities coming from power plays, they still dominated the Bruins at five-on-five, limiting them to just ten shots on goal. The Panthers' ability to control the game at five-on-five has been a key factor in their success.

Defenseman Gustav Forsling has played a crucial role in shutting down David Pastrňák, making him a non-factor in the series. Forsling's elite-level defending has been instrumental in neutralizing the Bruins' top scorer. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery may need to make adjustments to free up Pastrňák in Game 4.

The Panthers have also imposed their physical presence on the ice, causing problems for the Bruins in the defensive zone. Players like Sam Bennett, who returned to the lineup in Game 3, have added physicality and offensive firepower to the Panthers' lineup. Bennett's impact on the game was evident, as he delivered a clean hit on Brad Marchand, leaving the Bruins' forward sidelined.

As the series progresses, the Bruins will need to make significant adjustments to counter the Panthers' dominance at five-on-five and physicality. The Panthers' depth, talent, and strategic coaching decisions have put them in a commanding position in the series, making them a formidable opponent for the Bruins.

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