5 TAKEAWAYS: Bruins 5, Panthers 3

Even in defeat, the Florida Panthers showed a lot of fight.
After winning their first two games to open up the 2022-23 season, the Panthers closed out their three-game road trip with a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Monday.
"It's an 82-game race here, but they're on the path," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said after the hard-fought loss. "I like the way they think the game. I like the way they treat each other on the bench. I like how wired they are for the game. They like playing. They're excited. In a game like tonight when it wasn't easy, there was no complaining. They just kept battling."

For a quick recap of the game, click
HERE
.
To read up on five key takeaways for the Cats, continue below.

1. INJURY UPDATES

The injury bug was biting in Boston.
Already down a man and playing with 17 skaters after defenseman Brandon Montour was held out of action due to an upper-body injury, the Panthers then lost another defenseman when Aaron Ekblad suffered a lower-body injury in the second period and did not return.
When asked about the injuries after the game, Maurice said that he believes Montour's isn't expected to keep him out of the lineup long term and that Ekblad would be evaluated back in Florida on Tuesday.
After setting new career-highs in goals (11), assists (26) and points (37) in 2021-22, Montour had gotten off to a great start through his first two games of this season. Quarterbacking the top power-play unit, he scored his first goal of the season during Saturday's win over the Sabres.
As for Ekblad, who also lit the lamp in Buffalo, the star blueliner finished sixth in voting for the Norris Trophy last season after racking up a career-high 57 points (15 goals, 42 assists) in just 61 games.
With no practice on Tuesday, expect updates on both players on Wednesday.

2. BENNETT BURIES ONE

The second line continues to be effective for the Panthers.
Tying the game early in the second period, Sam Bennett buried his first goal of the season when he dashed down toward the blue paint just in time to tap a pinpoint centering feed from Matthew Tkachuk into the cage get the Panthers on the board and bring the score to 1-1.

"They're great players," Bennett said of playing on a line with Tkachuk and Rudolfs Balcers. "We've got a lot of looks here early. I think the more we play together, the more chemistry we're going to find and the more comfortable we're going to feel together. I'm definitely enjoying playing with them."
Breaking out during his first full season with the Panthers in 2021-22, Bennett achieved new career-highs in goals (28), assists (21) and points (49). Through his first three games this season, the 26-year-old has already produced a goal, an assist, four hits and two blocks.

3. A BIG HOMECOMING

With roughly 20 friends and family in the stands, you knew Colin White would come to play.
Briefly getting the Panthers within striking distance, the Boston native trimmed Florida's deficit to 4-3 when he pounced on a loose puck in the blue paint and tapped it across the goal line with 1:37 remaining in regulation.

"It's nice to score in front of the family and friends, but the guys fought," White said. "We were just getting pucks on the net, and the puck was just sitting there. It was nice."
Everything has been pretty nice for White through his first three games with the Panthers. Inked to a one-year contract this summer, he's recorded a point in all three games and is currently tied with Matthew Tkachuk for the team-lead in both goals (2) and points (4).

4. FORSLING'S MINUTES

With two defenseman missing, Gustav Forsling picked up a lot of the slack in Boston.
In addition to netting his first goal of the season, the 26-year-old registered two hits, one blocked shot and led Florida's defensemen in both shots on goal (5) and ice time (28:14). The second-most minutes he's ever played, he previously skated 28:49 in a game with the Chicago Blackahwks back in 2018-19.

After posting career-highs in goals (10), assists (27) and points (27) in 2021-22, Forsling ranks first among Panthers defensemen with three points (one goal, two assists) so far this season.
Per NaturalStatTrick.com, Florida also boasts a team-best 2.37 expected goals when he's been on the ice at 5-on-5.

5. HOMEWARD BOUND

The Panthers are finally coming home.
After winning two of three games on the road, the Panthers will now kick off a three-game homestand at FLA Live Arena with a battle against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.
"Any time you go over 50% on the road, it's nice," White said. "It's going to be nice to get back home and play three games there. It's super exciting. I just can't wait for."
A key factor behind their Presidents' Trophy-winning campaign, the Panthers set records in numerous categories on home ice in 2021-22, including goals (191), wins (34) and points (68).
"It's nice to be home," said Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who led the NHL with 26 home wins last season. "It's going to be nice to get home and start going in front of our fans."
For tickets to the Home Opener, click
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