Panthers vs Bruins: NHL Showdown at TD Garden

The Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins are set to face off in an NHL matchup on Monday, October 14, 2024, at TD Garden. The Panthers, currently standing at 1-2-0, are looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses after their season-opening 6-4 victory over the Bruins. Their latest defeat was a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, with Sam Bennett scoring his third goal of the season in that game.

The Bruins, with a record of 2-1-0, have rebounded from their initial loss to the Panthers by winning their next two games. They secured a 6-4 win against the Montreal Canadiens and a 2-1 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings, with David Pastrnak scoring the game-winner in the latter match. Jeremy Swayman, who stopped 33 of 34 shots in the game against the Kings, is expected to start in goal for the Bruins.

The Panthers will be without their captain, Aleksander Barkov, due to injury, which adds to their challenges. Sergei Bobrovsky is likely to start in goal for the Panthers, having performed well despite the team’s recent losses. Bobrovsky stopped 24 of 28 shots against the Bruins in the season opener and 28 of 30 shots in a tough loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Betting odds favor the Bruins, with a moneyline of -125 compared to the Panthers’ +105. The over/under is set at 6 goals, with the over at +100 and the under at -120. Analysts predict a close game, with some leaning towards the Bruins avenging their season-opening loss and others seeing value in the Panthers at their current price.

The matchup is expected to be intense, given the recent history between the teams and the current form of key players. The Bruins’ home advantage and their recent defensive improvements could play a significant role in the outcome of the game.