Bruins Wrap: Boston Pulls Out Chippy OT Win Against Rival Panthers

BOSTON — The Bruins kicked off their final regular-season homestand at TD Garden on Saturday by completing a sweep of their season series against the Florida Panthers, 3-2 in overtime.

Boston improved to 46-17-15 on the season, while Florida fell to 48-24-6.

Check out the full box score here.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
It’s starting to become pretty clear the Bruins and Panthers don’t like one another.

Is that an obvious statement? It might be, especially given the stunning series they competed in last postseason, but any doubt of the hatred was put to rest Saturday. Paul Maruice’s club was clear in its attempts to draw the ire of Boston. Jim Montgomery’s boys were happy to fight back.

It was a good old-fashioned hate fest at TD Garden.

Panthers forward Anton Lundell tripped Bruins forward Trent Frederic in the middle of the second period, which seemed to serve as the catalyst for hatred moving forward. Matthew Tkachuk boarded Parker Wotherspoon later in the same frame. Lundell later hooked Charlie McAvoy in the third period, prompting the Bruins’ star defenseman to retaliate and send him down to the ice as he was stepping into the box. Boston’s power-play opportunity evaporated in the process, as he was sent to the box for unnecessary roughness.

It was just one of those games where the goals came second, and punishing the opponent came first. Boston and Florida each did pot two by the time regulation ran out, though, setting the stage for a Jesper Boqvist goal in OT.

STARS OF THE GAME
— Boqvist (!!!) scored the game-winner, so he gets the No. 1 star.

— Parker Wotherspoon was tremendous for Boston, bringing a much-needed edge to the game. He also showed some skill, finding his forwards for a couple breakaway opportunities.

— Charlie Coyle scored the Bruins’ second goal, improving his career-best numbers.

WAGER WATCH
McAvoy had just +650 odds to score, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. That means a $100 bet would have netted a $750 payout following his first-period goal.

UP NEXT ON NESN
The Bruins will return to NESN on Tuesday, when they take on the Hurricanes in their penultimate regular-season contest at TD Garden this season. Boston and Carolina are scheduled to drop the puck at 7 p.m. ET, following an hour of pregame coverage.