5 Takeaways: Panthers Best Bruins, Stave Off Elimination

SUNRISE, Fla. - With Game 80 in the books, the Florida Panthers are still alive.
The Panthers staved off elimination yet again on Thursday night, as center Jared McCann scored the game-winning goal with 5:37 left in regulation to lift Florida to a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins in front of a raucous crowd BB&T Center.

"I was excited," McCann said. "To be put out there in that situation shows the confidence in me by the coach. I was really excited to contribute… It was huge. We need to win outright to make the playoffs. With a little bit of luck here, I feel like we can do it."
Although they took care of their own business against the Bruins, the Panthers unfortunately didn't get any help around the league in their desperate push for the playoffs, as all three teams they were chasing registered at least a point.
Now, there is only one path to the postseason.
With two games remaining in their season, Florida needs to win both of its final two games against Buffalo and Boston - at least one in regulation or overtime -- and Philadelphia must lose in regulation to the New York Rangers on Saturday.
"We keep talking about taking care of our own business, but at some point in time we need a loss," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "It's disappointing… but I'm proud of these guys. They've played a ton of hockey these past here in the two weeks. They found a way to come home after a disappointing road trip and really empty the tanks and give it everything they have."
The Panthers have won 23 of their last 33 games (23-8-2).
Here are five takeaways from Thursday's win in Sunrise…

1. LUONGO'S 1,000th GAME

The moment the first second ticked off the clock on Thursday night, Roberto Luongo officially became just the third goaltender in NHL history to suit up in his 1,000th game, joining Hall of Famers Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy.
For Luongo, a win was the best gift the Panthers could have given him.
"The boys probably played their best game of the year," Luongo said. "I thought we were phenomenal at both ends of the ice. I think that was our best game by far. They didn't really have any chances at all. That's the best gift the boys could give me."
Luongo made 26 saves against the Bruins to earn his third victory in four nights, securing six crucial points to keep Florida's postseason hopes afloat. At 39, he is having one of the best seasons of his storied career, posting an 18-11-2 record with a .929 save percentage - tied fort fifth-best in the league among goaltenders with at least 15 starts.
"It's special to see Lu do what he did in his 1,000th game," Boughner said. "I know the organization's planning a great tribute to him at some point in the future. It was nice to see him get his 1,000th game this year. The way he got it, he went out in style. It meant a lot for the guys."

2. BARKOV BUSTS IT OPEN

With tensions riding high in the first period, Aleksander Barkov gave the Panthers the boost they needed, scoring off a beautiful feed from Evgenii Dadonov to give Florida an early 1-0 lead just 7:42 after the puck had dropped.
The score ended a nine-game goal drought for Barkov, who has 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) over his last 23 games and currently ranks fifth in franchise history for single-season points (78). The goal was also the 100th of his career.
Luongo said he appreciated the early goal support.
"I thought we came out strong," Luongo said. "We played a full 60 minutes. We didn't have any letdowns. It was just a complete hockey game against a really good team. I'm proud of the way the guys worked hard tonight. They made my job a lot easier."
Florida is now 31-11-2 when scoring first this season.

3. FRANKIE SENDS HIS REGARDS

Less than two minutes after Barkov's go-ahead goal, Frank Vatrano added to the lead, jumping on a loose puck near the crease before sneaking a backhand shot past Tuukka Rask to put the Panthers up 2-0 at 9:34 of the first period.
For Vatrano, the goal also came with just a tad bit of revenge, as the 24-year-old forward spent his entire NHL career with Boston before being shipped to Florida on Feb. 22 in exchange for a third-round pick.
Since joining the Panthers, Vatrano has been an important role player down the stretch, scoring four goals in 14 games. In the 25 games he played before being traded this season, he potted just two goals while seeing limited minutes with the Bruins.

4. BARKOV INJURED

Although the Panthers won the game, they might have to finish their season without their best player, as Barkov exited the game around the seven-minute mark of the third period after taking a big hit along the boards.
The hit, which was delivered by Bruins center Colby Cave, wasn't penalized, but that didn't keep Panthers center Vincent Trocheck taking exception to it. When asked to share his thoughts on the hit, Trocheck said he couldn't "say it on TV."
As of right now, Barkov's status is unknown, but Boughner isn't optimistic.
"I know the doctors are back there checking him out, so I don't have anything as of now," Boughner said. "It didn't look great when he was going off the ice, to be honest."

5. McCANN'S THE MAN

With Barkov incapacitated, the Panthers turned to Jared McCann to fill his spot on the top line for the final few minutes of the game - a vote of confidence the 21-year-old center quickly rewarded.
"Canner had a great couple games leading into this one," Boughner said. "Really, at that point in time, you need a centerman, obviously. We wanted to make sure we just had a three or four minute push to just get through."
In his first shifts after the promotion, McCann put on his cape and turned into the hero that Florida needed, tipping a long shot from Mike Matheson past Rask to put the Panthers up 3-2 with just 5:37 left in regulation.
"I was ready to go," McCann said. "I look for those opportunities every day. Whether it's in the gym just working hard, I know I'm always going to get a shot. Unfortunately, things like that happen, but I was able to step up and help."
The timely goal was McCann's ninth of the season, matching his career high set in 2015-16 while with Vancouver. It was also his fourth game-winner of the year, which ranks him tied for second on the Panthers.