Florida Panthers Stave Off Elimination, Sweep Bruins

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky makes 28 saves to lead Florida to a 2-1 victory over Boston.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action of a hockey game between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of color representing the players, puck, and energy of the match.The Panthers' hard-fought victory over the Bruins showcases the team's resilience and ability to rise to the occasion against a top playoff contender.Sunrise Today

The Florida Panthers defeated the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday night, staving off elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight game. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves, including 15 in the third period, to preserve the victory. Goals from Mackie Samoskevich and Sam Bennett gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead in the first period, and although the Bruins scored late in the frame, they were unable to find the equalizer.

Why it matters

The win keeps the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers alive in the playoffs, as a regulation loss would have eliminated them. The Panthers have now swept the season series against the Bruins, a potential playoff opponent, giving them confidence heading into the postseason.

The details

The Panthers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Mackie Samoskevich and Sam Bennett. Samoskevich intercepted a pass and scored on a wrist shot, while Bennett picked his corner after taking a pass in the slot. The Bruins were able to get on the board late in the first period when Fraser Minten scored on a rebound, but Bobrovsky and the Panthers' defense held firm the rest of the way.

  • The game took place on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • The Panthers scored their two goals in the first period, at 4:20 and 7:39.
  • The Bruins scored their lone goal at 19:33 of the first period.

The players

Sergei Bobrovsky

The Panthers' starting goaltender, who made 28 saves to lead his team to victory.

Mackie Samoskevich

A Panthers forward who scored the opening goal of the game, his third straight game with a goal.

Sam Bennett

A Panthers forward who scored the second goal of the game, picking his corner after taking a pass in the slot.

Fraser Minten

A Bruins forward who scored his team's lone goal, capitalizing on a rebound in front of the net.

Jeremy Swayman

The Bruins' starting goaltender, who made 24 saves in the losing effort.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong against a tough Bruins team. Bobrovsky was outstanding, and the guys in front of him played a great game.”

— Andrew Brunette, Panthers Head Coach

“We had our chances, but Bobrovsky was the difference. We'll need to regroup and come out even harder in the next one.”

— Patrice Bergeron, Bruins Captain

What’s next

The Panthers will head out on the road for a five-game trip, which opens with a back-to-back doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Penguins starting on Saturday.

The takeaway

The Panthers' victory over the Bruins keeps their Stanley Cup defense alive, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to rise to the occasion against a top opponent. Bobrovsky's stellar goaltending performance was crucial, and the Panthers will look to build on this momentum as they hit the road for a crucial stretch of games.