Stanley Cup Champion Believes Bruins Fans Among ‘Toughest’ In NHL

Home-ice advantage is a real thing, and former Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour put into perspective how hard it is to play against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

The Panthers and Bruins have had their fair share of run-ins during the playoffs in recent seasons. During the 2024 Eastern Conference second-round series, Florida did get the best of Boston on their home ice, winning all three games at TD Garden.

The Bruins and Panthers met earlier in the playoffs in 2023, colliding in the Eastern Conference first round. Florida took Game 7 of the series in overtime at TD Garden to end Boston’s historic season.

Despite the Panthers’ success in Boston, Montour believes the fans are some of the toughest in the NHL.

“(The Panthers) have played the toughest arenas the last two years,” Montour told the “Missin Curfew” podcast. “You go down the list from Boston, how crazy it is there. We were walking or we’re driving to the games and all the fans are outside flipping us off, telling us to (explicit) off.”

The now-Seattle Kraken defenseman added that the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning also are some hostile buildings to play in. But Montour understands that Bruins fans and players have taken a disliking to the Panthers.

“You go back to Boston for a repeat, they want to kill us,” Montour said.

The Bruins will get a taste of Panthers fans to start the season, opening the season in Florida on Oct. 8. The Panthers travel to Boston not long after on Oct. 14.