For the second game in a row, the Bruins will look to close out the series against the pesky Florida Panthers. While many have thought this series would be heavily favored for Boston, the Panthers have been a formidable opponent for the Bruins. Florida is one of two teams(Ottawa) to beat the Bruins twice in the regular season and is showing everyone why.
While the Panthers play has been excellent, the Bruins have been playing shorthanded all series. Patrice Bergeron missed the first four games, and David Krejci has missed the last three games with an injury. Bergeron returned to the lineup in Game 5 and scored a goal in the 4-3 loss.
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David Krejci did fly with the team to Florida and will take warmups with the team. He will be a game-time decision as his availability is “uncertain,” per Jim Montgomery. The Bruins projected lineup looks more like the lines you saw in the regular season. Outside of defense, where the Bruins will send Matt Grzelcyk back to the press box.
The Bruins defense reverts back to the Game 1 grouping, making Montgomery a much tougher blue line to deploy.
There has been a lot of chatter about starting Ullmark vs. Swayman and many strong opinions on both sides. Yes, Ullmark had an outstanding season to get the team here. Yes, Swayman also had an exceptional year. Ullmark just hasn’t looked great so far in this series. He has looked slow at times and seemingly in discomfort. I see nothing wrong with giving Swayman, who is the future net-minder of this team, an opportunity to win them an important game. Ultimately, if they lose Game 6, there’s a Game 7 regardless.
