While the Boston Bruins set regular season NHL records for most wins (65) and points (135), they will not see the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Bruins and Florida Panthers took part in a thrilling Game 7 on Sunday night. Three periods were not enough to decide it.
Then, 8:35 into the first overtime period, Florida’s Carter Verhaeghe fired a wrist shot past Boston’s goalie, Jeremy Swayman, into the back of the net, ending both Game 7 and the series.
The Florida Panthers eliminate the Boston Bruins with a 4-3 OT win in Game 7! pic.twitter.com/umasYZNrc8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 1, 2023
Florida won the game on the strength of its start and finish. Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour scored the only goal of the first period. Then, just over a minute into the second period, Florida center Sam Reinhart scored to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead.
But the Bruins fought back. Center David Krejci finally got Boston on the board with a goal in the second period. Less than a minute into the third period, winger Tyler Bertuzzi tied the game. Just over three minutes later, left-winger, David Pastrnak put the Bruins ahead 3-2 and for most of the third period, it seemed like the goal would stand.
But much like they fought back from a 3-1 series deficit to force Game 7, the Panthers managed to tie Game 7 with a tying goal from Montour just with just under a minute left.
WHAT DID THE TNT SCOREBUG KNOW??? pic.twitter.com/XcKnZIoxVO
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 1, 2023
Perhaps more than any other postseason, upsets are a big part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There is a randomness to the game that makes the Stanley Cup Playoffs so simultaneously fun and frustrating.
But with 92 points, the Panthers were closer to the worst team in the league (Anaheim Ducks, 58) than to the Bruins. This was not a typical upset.
And that was reflected in the reactions of hockey fans.
The #Bruins season will 100% be dubbed a failure (not a journey). pic.twitter.com/2lAg139Ajf
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) May 1, 2023
Biggest choke job in NHL history. For people saying Tampa getting swept in 19 you're wrong. That was bad but they didn't have 3 chances to close out a team. Maybe Red Wings losing in 94 to the Sharks but I think 2022-2023 bruins take the cake
— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) May 1, 2023
The Warriors made it to the finals. The Bruins went out in the 1st round playing hockey against a team from a state that doesn't have ice. https://t.co/XWlFeohY9f
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) May 1, 2023
The Panthers to the 65-win Bruins 💀pic.twitter.com/xubRo7BvPv
— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) May 1, 2023
Bruins lose.
Epic choke artists.
Never mention the regular season again.
Ever
— Savage (@SavageSports_) May 1, 2023
