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Bruins take series opener over Panthers in 5-1 rout
Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei (6) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game 1 of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins take series opener over Panthers in 5-1 rout

The Boston Bruins didn't seem tired at all.

Despite just finishing their first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night the Bruins took the opener of their Eastern Conference second-round series on Monday evening at Amerant Bank Arena, 5-1, over the Florida Panthers, who have had the past week off.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Sunrise at 7:30 p.m. EST

It is the second consecutive season the teams have met in the playoffs. A year ago the Panthers rallied back from a 3-1 deficit in the first round to eliminate the Bruins, who had set league records for wins and points during the 2022-23 regular season.

Jeremy Swayman made 38 saves and five different players scored for Boston on Monday.

Matthew Tkachuk gave Florida a 1-0 lead with 8:15 left in the second period. He beat Swayman from the inside top of the right circle.

But Morgan Geekie tied it 1-1 for the Bruins just 1:07 later when he put in a loose puck.

Defenseman Mason Lohrei put the Bruins ahead 2-1 with 3:43 remaining in the middle period on a shot from the bottom of the left circle. It was his first career playoff goal.

It was the Bruins' first lead during play since Game 4 of Boston's first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins won Game 7 in overtime after tying the score in the third period.

Defenseman Brando Carlo, whose wife gave birth to to their second child early Monday morning, made it 3-1 with 21 seconds left in the second with a shot from the top of the right circle.

Justin Brazeau scored 7:43 into the third period and Jake DeBrusk added an empty-net goal.

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