The Boston Bruins were too much for the Florida Panthers on Friday night in Sunrise, collecting a 3-1 win in front of a strong performance by goaltender Tuukka Rask.
The Bruins scored the first three markers of the game, including a two-for-three night on the power play. The first two were by Brad Marchand, including a power play goal halfway through the first.
Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara piled on with the third goal, also on the power play, before the Panthers got on the board.
Roberto Luongo stopped 27-of-30 shots altogether, while Rask finished with 31 saves on the night.
Nick Bjugstad lit the lamp for his fourth marker of the season to bring the Panthers to within two goals, but Florida couldn’t get anything else going. Recent ex-Panther Jimmy Hayes collected a game-high six hits on the night.
The Panthers have a quick turnaround, playing the Washington Capitals tomorrow night at 7PM back in Sunrise again. The Caps defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-1 in action tonight, and are the consensus “second-best team in the NHL,” according to power ranking polls from across the media. Check back here in the morning for a complete game recap. For the Bruins take on events, go to Stanley Cup of Chowder. For more on the Caps, check out Japers’ Rink.