Closing out the regular season strong in their own barn, the Panthers went 7-3-2 while averaging 3.83 goals per contest over their final 12 games at FLA Live Arena leading into the postseason.
The Panthers also went 2-0-0 against the Bruins in Sunrise in 2022-23.
"It's always fun coming back to Florida and playing in front of our home fans," Verhaeghe said. "It's going to be a good one tonight. We can't wait to see how loud the building is. It'll be fun."
Following a 3-1 loss in Game 1, the Panthers pushed back with a 6-3 win in Game 2. Tied 2-2 after two periods, they erupted for four goals to pull away from Boston in the third period. Despite facing the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Panthers are clearly not intimidated.
Back in the lineup for the first time since being sidelined by an undisclosed injury on March 20, Sam Bennett provided the Panthers with a huge boost in his return in Game 2. Skating 16:15 in his first game back, the grizzled center opened the scoring in the second period to put the Panthers up 1-0.
After leading Florida's forwards with 150 hits in the regular season, Bennett dished out three against the Bruins in Game 2, with his first check coming less than a minute into the game to help the Panthers set the tone.
"It was exciting to be back," said Bennett, who has flourished between Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk on the second line. "Coming back in the playoffs, I think it brings you even more excitement. It felt really good to get that physical game going right away. That's part of my game, and I'm going to keep trying to do that."
Verhaeghe, Eric Staal and Eetu Luostarinen also lit the lamp in Game 2, while Brandon Montour buried a pair of goals in the third period -- including a strike just 22 seconds into the final frame to make it 3-2 -- to become the first Panthers defenseman to net two goals in a playoff game.
In the regular season, Montour set club records for assists (57) and points (73) by a D-man.
"Monty's definitely huge on our blue line," Verhaeghe said of Montour, who was named first star of the game in Game 2. "Him getting those two goals was huge. He's been so good all year."
Energetic forward Ryan Lomberg did not skate this morning, but Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said he'll be good to go tonight.
Set to make his third straight start in the playoffs and 11th straight start overall if you count the regular season, Alex Lyon -- aka the "Lyon King" -- turned aside 34 of 37 shots to earn the first NHL playoff win of his career in Game 2.
Making seven high-danger saves, Lyon's biggest sequence came with less than 20 seconds left in the second period when he made consecutive stops against Pavel Zacha on the doorstep to keep the game tied 2-2 heading into the third period.
"It was fun," Lyon said after the win. "I really enjoy playing in that atmosphere. It's fun for me. I get energized. It was just a good time. I'm happy we got the win. Very talented, very good opponent. Now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. That's where our focus has to be."
At the other end of the ice, Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron will miss his third straight game due to an injury. Following this morning's skate, Boston head coach Jim Montgomery said that the five-time Selke Trophy winner will likely be out of action until at least Game 5.
Through the first two games, Brad Marchand and Tyler Bertuzzi have been the two most-effective players for the Bruins. Marchand has scored in each game -- including a shorthanded snipe in Game 2 -- while Bertuzzi has tallied a team-leading three points (one goal, two assists).
After giving up five goals in Game 2 -- just the third time this season he's given up more than four goals in a game -- Linus Ullmark did not skate this morning and is a game-time decision to play, per Montgomery. If he can't suit up tonight, backup Jeremy Swayman should get the nod.
In two starts against Florida in 2022-23, Swayman went 0-1-1 with a .881 save percentage.
"It's always fun to be at home in the playoffs," Bennett said. "You get the energy of the crowd and a little more excitement. It's definitely good. We're expecting a loud building tonight."
