Boston vs Florida Prediction 10 May 2024

More ejections and even more goals. After the first two games of the series, the score is tied at 1:1. The teams exchanged blowouts. But the second game of the series stands out: 158 penalty minutes for both teams. 13 player ejections by the end of the match. There was little hockey, but plenty of fighting and brawls. This trend is likely to continue. The rivals give in to emotions and don’t hesitate to drop the gloves.

Boston, as they say, showed its teeth in the first two games of the series. They took control of the first game right away and didn’t let their opponent come back. Lots of shots, smart defense, stable goaltending. But in the second game, everything went off plan right away. During the game, they even had to change goalies. The opponent's numerous shots gave a noticeable advantage both in the score and in the quality of play, and it was impossible to take back the initiative without breaking the rules. At home, the team needs to return to systematic defense, without it, there will be little chance of winning.

Florida remains the favorite of the series, despite losing the first match. The team improved in necessary components: capitalizing on power plays and confident defense allowed them to win the second match. However, it's always tough to play in Boston and, if they don’t step up in offense and penalty killing, it will be difficult. David Pastrnak, the team's main sniper, is still not shining, scoring too few points and even getting involved in fights on the ice, although his teammates really need his goals, not penalty minutes.

Projected Lineups

Florida: Bobrovsky – Forsling, Ekblad – Verhaeghe, Barkov, Tkachuk

Boston: Swayman – Lindholm, McAvoy – Zacha, Gicke, Pastrnak

No new injuries or suspensions after the first two games of the series. Florida’s Sam Bennett is injured (individual training without contact). The hosts have Peck, Heinen, and Poitras in the infirmary. All players have been on the injury list since the start of the playoffs.

Goalies

Jeremy Swayman ended up being replaced but will remain the primary goaltender for game three. He didn’t make big mistakes, but the team needed to energize the game with a substitution. Statistically, he is still one of the best in the playoffs. On the other hand, Sergei Bobrovsky (89%, 2.71 GAA), who maintains a high level and does not allow serious failures. His saves are needed by the team.

Editorial Prediction

The tension in this series is off the charts, teams score a lot and get many penalties. Power play execution works efficiently, and while shorthanded, players allow numerous chances at their own goal. In our opinion, teams will score more than 5 pucks in regulation time. They surpassed this mark in the first two games of the series.

⚠️What about head-to-head meetings? The number 52 indicates the amount of matches played, of which the team Boston Bruins was stronger (including overtimes and shootout series) in 35; guests, correspondingly, in 16.

🏒Furthermore, it's important to note the total number of pucks thrown into each other's nets:🥅

• for the home team, this figure stopped at 175;

• for the guests – 131.