Bruins-Panthers bad blood resurfaces in a brawl-filled first period

Bruins-Panthers bad blood resurfaces in brawl-filled first period originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — Breaking news: The Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers still don’t like each other at all.

The first period of Monday afternoon’s game at TD Garden provided the most intense 20 minutes of hockey for the Bruins so far this season.

The bad blood started with 8:27 left in the frame when Panthers forward AJ Greer hit former teammate David Pastrnak from behind along the boards. The refs didn’t call Greer a penalty even though there was a strong case for boarding.

Pavel Zacha quickly skated to Greer and battled him in defense of Pastrnak.

Just over a minute later, Pastrnak took a late hit on Panthers forward Sam Reinhart and was called for interference. Panthers linebacker Nate Schmidt stepped in and tackled Pastrnak, who drew a quick response from B’s captain Brad Marchand, who tackled Schmidt.

These teams combined for two fights and 26 penalty minutes in the first period. The Panthers led 2-1 at intermission, with the go-ahead goal coming on the power play.

The Bruins gave the Panthers four power plays in the first period. That brings the Panthers’ total number of power plays against the Bruins to 10 in just four periods of action between them this season.

The Bruins were understandably frustrated with the officiating in that period, but they must remain disciplined to beat the Panthers. They played right into the Panthers’ hands that period, and that’s not a winning strategy.