Bruins Wrap: Boston Falls In OT Behind Jaw-Dropping Panthers Rally

The Boston Bruins failed to get back in the win column and instead shockingly fell to the Florida Panthers, 4-3, in overtime at FLA Live Arena on Saturday night.

The Bruins fell to 38-6-5 with their second straight loss — it’s the first time they’ve lost consecutive games all season — while the Panthers improved to 24-22-6 on their season.

Check out the full box score here.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
The Bruins searched for a response to follow up their gut-wrenching loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night, and that’s exactly what they found.

Yet, Boston would be stunned.

The Panthers, who struggled to get shots on goal throughout the night, applied pressure on the Bruins’ defense when it mattered most, courtesy of a game-tying goal from Sam Bennett. This placed the Bruins in a position that they’ve encountered on various occasions throughout the season.

The game appeared set and done in the third period after David Pastrnak put Boston ahead and left 49 seconds on the clock for the Panthers to respond, which they did. In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Florida’s Aleksander Barov came through in the clutch and knotted the game even at 3-3 to send the contest into overtime.

Sam Reinhart shut the door on Boston and wasted no time doing so as he sent the game into a final score just 17 seconds into overtime.

The Bruins, for the first time this season, added to the loss column after taking a first-period lead.

STARS OF THE GAME
— Reinhart followed Benett’s lead in seizing a win for Florida with his game-winner.

— Pastrnak put the Bruins ahead with a clutch delivery in the third period and recorded his third goal in the last four games.

— Barov stunned everyone in attendance and those who watched in real time. His third-period goal, which gave Florida new life, left just 1.4 seconds on the clock before overtime.

WAGER WATCH
DraftKings Sportsbook set the odds of Craig Smith opening the game with a goal at +2000 before game time. Smith took care of business with his unassisted score to put Boston on top early. A $100 bet on the right winger would’ve resulted in a $2,100 total payout.

UP NEXT ON NESN
The Bruins will remain on the road for their next three games. Boston returns to action Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drop from PNC Arena is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET, and you can watch the game, plus with a full hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.