Playoff hockey, amirite?
After the Boston Bruins beat the Florida Panthers 5-1 in Game 1 of the second-round series, the Panthers answered back with a 6-1 victory in Game 2.
It was a physical affair, and that’s even before getting to all the misconduct penalties handed out in the third period.
The Cats lay a couple big hits 💥
📺: Sportsnet
📲: Stream on Sportsnet+ pic.twitter.com/AmYtHl49n9— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2024
The Panthers recorded the most hits in any playoff or regular-season game since 2018, with 76. Boston even had 70 hits of its own, including one by captain Brad Marchand on Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk.
Brad Marchand rocks Matt Tkachuk! 💥 pic.twitter.com/7mB9PP6mbf
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 8, 2024
With 10 minutes left in the third period and the Panthers leading 4-1, emotions ran high. And while three-goal comebacks have happened before in the final 10 minutes of regulation during the NHL playoffs over the years, it became clear that likely was not going to happen.
Post-whistle skirmishes and a fight between David Pastrnak and Tkachuk became the stories in the final frame. All in all, officials handed out 158 penalty minutes and 12 misconduct penalties.
Social media was all over it.
Brandon Montour makes a licking motion to Brad Marchand 😭😂 pic.twitter.com/MeBXilArp6
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 9, 2024
the beautiful game pic.twitter.com/ynpolWchKI
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) May 9, 2024
However, one part of the rowdiness in Sunrise drew some of the best reactions.
Bruins winger Justin Brazeau and Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov were two of the four players who received 10-minute misconducts at the 11:03 mark of the period. But when the broadcast switched from the scuffle going on behind the net to the tango between Brazeau and Kulikov, it looked more like they were dancing than anything.
It’s officially a dance-off pic.twitter.com/RJaObEgERc
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) May 9, 2024
Once again, social media was all over it. You’ll want your sound on for these ones.
— HockeyClips (@hockeyclip) May 9, 2024
The other eight players on the ice: 🥊
Kulikov and Brazeau: 💃#NHLBruins #TimetoHunt pic.twitter.com/BkuiZksEq4
— Joseph Zita (@josephdzita) May 9, 2024
Hockey is truly full of passion. Sound on. pic.twitter.com/C7btCMBw3a
— Andrew Mangiapane is the best Breadman (@FieryBreadman) May 9, 2024
It’s only the second round of the big dance, which means there’s plenty of time for more funny moments in the Stanley Cup playoffs before the league crowns a champion.
Related: ‘I’m Not Afraid of Him’: David Pastrnak Speaks on Fighting Matthew Tkachuk in Bruins-Panthers Ruckus
Related: NHL Playoffs: Five ‘Villains’ Opposing Fans Love to Loathe
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News Summary:
- Dancing in the Moonlight: Funniest Reactions to the Bruins and Panthers' Heated Third Period
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.