Bruins vs. Panthers Game 6 lineup: Projected lines, matchups, goaltenders originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins avoided elimination with a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers as a visitor in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference second-round series. Can they Do it again at home Friday night in Game 6.?
Home ice has been anything but an advantage for the Bruins in recent playoffs. They have won just three of their last 10 playoff games at TD Garden, including a five-game losing streak to the Panthers dating back to last year’s first-round series.
The main story for the Bruins entering Game 6 is the status of captain Brad Marchand. He practiced on Thursday and participated in drills. Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said after Friday morning’s skate that Marchand It’s a “game-time decision.”
UPDATE (12:20 p.m. ET): In an interview with 7 News’ Steve Cooper on Friday morningMarchand’s mother suggested that Marchand hopes to play in Game 6.
marching He hasn’t played since the second half of the third game.. She suffered an upper body injury after receiving a blow to the head. over a controversial play by Panthers center Sam Bennett in the first half of that game. Bennett was not disciplined, fined or suspended for the hit.
Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is expected to start his 11th straight game, which would extend his career high. He played fantastic in Game 5, making 28 saves on 29 shots, including a season-saving stop in the final seconds of the third period. He leads all playoff goaltenders with a .933 save percentage.
No major roster changes are expected for the Panthers.
Maurice said he expects “close to” the same lineup for Game 6.
– Jameson Oliva (@JamesonCoop) May 16, 2024
Here are the projected lineups for Bruins-Panthers Game 6.
Boston Bruins (2-3)
Forward
If Marchand plays…
Jake DeBrusk – Morgan Geekie – David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand–Charlie Coyle–Trent Frederic
Danton Heinen–Pavel Zacha–Justin Brazeau
James van Riemsdyk – John Beecher – Pat Maroon
If Marchand doesn’t play…
Jake DeBrusk – Morgan Geekie – David Pastrnak
James van Riemsdyk–Pavel Zacha–Justin Brazeau
Danton Heinen–Charlie Coyle–Trent Frederic
Jakub Lauko–John Beecher–Pat Maroon
Defenses
Hampus Lindholm as Charlie McAvoy
Mason Lohrei as Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon as Andrew Peeke
Goalie
Jeremy Swayman
Florida Panthers (3-2)
Forward
Vladimir Tarasenko–Aleksander Barkov–Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe–Sam Bennett–Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen–Anton Lundell–Evan Rodrigues
Steven Lorentz as Kevin Stenlund and Kyle Okposo
Defenses
Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola as Brandon Montour
Oliver Ekman-Larsson–Dmitry Kulikov
Goalie
Sergei Bobrovsky
