Bruins vs. Panthers Game 6 lineup: Projected lines, pairings, goalies originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins avoided elimination with a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers on the road in Game 5 of their second-round Eastern Conference tie-breaker. Can they do it again on home ice Friday night in Game 6?
Home ice has been anything but an advantage for the Bruins in recent playoff runs. 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.
The main storyline for the Bruins entering Game 6 is the status of captain Brad Marchand. He practiced and participated in drills on Thursday. Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said after Friday’s morning skate that Marchand is a “game-time decision.”
UPDATE (12:20 p.m. ET): In an interview with Steve Cooper of 7 News on Friday morningMarchand’s mother suggested that Marchand expects to play in Game 6.
Marchand has not played since the second period of Game 3. He suffered an upper-body injury after being hit in the head on a controversial play by Panthers center Sam Bennett in the first period of that game. Bennett received no punishment, fine or suspension for the hit.
Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is expected to start his 11th straight game, which would put his career on a 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 lineup changes are expected for the Panthers.
Maurice said he expects “almost” the same lineup for Game 6.
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) May 16, 2024
Here are the expected lineups for Bruins-Panthers Game 6.
Boston Bruins (2-3)
Forward
When 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
Defenders
Hampus Lindholm-Charlie McAvoy
Mason Lohrei-Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon-Andrew Peeke
Goalkeeper
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-Kevin Stenlund-Kyle Okposo
Defenders
Gustav Forsling-Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola-Brandon Montour
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Dmitry Kulikov
Goalkeeper
Sergei Bobrovsky