Bruins
On Saturday, the Bruins finally got their first win of 2025, defeating the Panthers in dramatic fashion and ending a six-game losing streak that stretched back to New Year's Eve.
David Pastranak sealed the deal in the ultimate moments of additional time, avoiding a shootout and giving the Bruins an additional point on aggregate.
Here are three takeaways from the win.
The Bruins finally showed fighting spirit.
As the Bruins tried to guard their lead late within the third period, disaster struck in the ultimate minute of regulation Saturday.
Boston was inches away from sealing the deal against the Panthers before additional time when he blasted a shot off the post into the empty Florida goal. The Panthers took advantage of this chance and scored the equalizer in lower than three seconds.
Just like that, it looked like one other Bruins collapse.
Except Saturday brought a unique result. Boston didn't just roll over or lose steam on the sight of the heartbreaking goal. Instead, it went to additional time and wasn't content with sending the reigning Stanley Cup champions to a shootout. The Bruins fired right back, scoring a heartbreaking goal courtesy of Pastrnak.
The Bruins haven’t shown a performance like this in 2025, especially against the highest teams within the NHL. For example, earlier this week Boston took on last yr's other Stanley Cup finalists, the Edmonton Oilers, and fell 4-0 at home.
Perhaps Saturday's game could be a constructing block for the Bruins, who’re still hanging around within the Eastern Conference playoff picture despite several difficult stretches and a training change.
Jeremy Swayman needed a game like Saturday.
Jeremy Swayman's first season since signing his contract extension didn't go particularly well, but Saturday provided an example of what the Bruins wanted from him as their star goaltender.
Swayman made 43 saves within the 4-3 win, ok for a .930 save percentage in a game where Boston desperately needed Swayman. The Bruins' defense was significantly outgunned on Saturday, allowing Florida a complete of over 100 shot attempts. Swayman was under pressure throughout the sport and held firm to offer his team a likelihood to win.
The Panthers had one expected goal rate of 5.75 on Saturday, so Swayman definitely had an impact on the competition. His save percentage over the past seven games is now .918, a major improvement from his struggles earlier within the season.
David Pastrnak was heating up. Now he's burning.
David Pastrnak has been heating things up for some time now, even when the outcomes on the ice haven't been in Boston's favor. After one other multi-goal day, it's protected to say the Bruins superstar is on fire.
Pastrnak, best known for his goal-scoring prowess, had not scored a goal all season through January 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has played three multi-goal games within the last seven days.
To be fair to those around him, Pastrnak received loads of assistance on Saturday. His first goal of the night got here off a lovely find and feed from Morgan Geekie. All Pastrnak needed to do was tap the puck onto the back post to offer Boston a 2-1 lead.
The additional time goal was scored by an unconventional deflection of a Panthers stick, but when a player is hot, the puck normally seems to get some favorable rebounds, and puck rebounds have all been jumping in Pastrnak's favor currently.
Pastrnak now has six goals in his last five games and 19 goals this season.
Boston will look to construct on its win on Tuesday when it takes on the Lightning. Tampa Bay handed the Bruins a 4-1 loss on Thursday night.
image credit : www.boston.com