Bruins put Panthers on ropes with 3-1 series lead
The Boston Bruins put a stranglehold on their first-round matchup against the Florida Panthers after winning 6-2 in Sunday's Game 4 to claim a 3-1 series lead.
Jake DeBrusk enjoyed a two-goal performance, including an insurance tally before the midway mark of the final frame. Tyler Bertuzzi netted the eventual game-winner with a masterful tip early in the third period.
Taylor Hall led the way with a four-point night and delivered a backbreaker to Florida's hopes with an emphatic breakaway tally to put the game out of reach. He ended his night with an empty-netter for his fourth goal of the series.
Taylor Hall taps the puck past the defender and finishes off the breakaway for a great goal, 5-2 Bruins!#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/mL0AECwrrf
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) April 23, 2023
The contest had some drama in the final minutes. Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark attempted to drop the gloves with talented Panthers pest Matthew Tkachuk, but the officials weren't having it.
Bruins' goalie Linus Ullmark just dropped the gloves 👀
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) April 23, 2023
𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 → https://t.co/1aiAzoc5UY@FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/SjGKjd99OF
Ullmark, Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and DeBrusk were dinged with game misconducts due to the skirmish. Brandon Montour and Derek Forbort earned fighting penalties, while the latter also took a minor for roughing.
Backup Jeremy Swayman entered the contest in his running mate's stead.
Though Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo expressed confidence in Ullmark's ability to "beat up anybody," he didn't mind that the netminder avoided getting into a scrap.
"I think we're going to keep Linus' hands intact and not let him risk breaking anybody's face," he said, according to Boston.com's Conor Ryan. "So we're gonna leave it like that."
Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery added that fighting isn't necessarily in the Vezina Trophy front-runner's job description.
"We didn't want to risk anything. ... As a goalie, you're just expected to stop pucks," he said. “You're not expected to take stick work and someone coming after you. ... Really proud of our group with how we stuck together there."
Ullmark made 41 saves on 43 shots before exiting. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 30 shots in his first start of these playoffs.
The Presidents' Trophy winners will have a chance to send the Panthers packing in Wednesday's Game 5 in Boston.