Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EDT
Venue: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Broadcast: NESN, SCRIPPS, Sportsnet (SN/SN1); League Pass / Radio affiliates (98.5 The Sports Hub – BOS, WQAM/WHFT – FLA)
This Atlantic Division matchup features a Bruins squad riding momentum and fighting for playoff positioning (currently 4th in the division with strong wild-card implications) against a Panthers team that has been decimated by injuries and is essentially playing out the string with slim-to-no postseason hopes. Florida hosts at Amerant Bank Arena (20-15-3 home record), but the Panthers enter on shaky form and with a severely depleted roster. Boston is 15-14-7 on the road and looking to extend a four-game win streak.
Injury Report
Boston Bruins (minor impact on depth):
- Mason Lohrei (D) – Out (upper body; expected return April 2 but listed unavailable for this contest in latest reports)
- Dans Locmelis (C) – Out (shoulder; season-ending)
Florida Panthers (catastrophic absences across key positions):
- Aleksander Barkov (C) – Out for season (knee)
- Brad Marchand (LW) – Out / IR (lower body; week-to-week)
- Sam Reinhart (C) – Out (foot; season)
- Aaron Ekblad (D) – Out (hand; until at least April 4)
- Uvis Balinskis (D) – Out (foot fracture; 4-6 weeks)
- Additional long-term: Jonah Gadjovich (LW, IR-LT), Cole Schwindt (RW, IR), Evan Rodrigues (C, finger surgery – season)
The Panthers are missing their captain, top center, leading scorer, and multiple top-pair defensemen. Boston’s absences are far less disruptive to their core structure.
Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)
Boston Bruins (4-1-0):
- 3/31 vs DAL: W 6-3
- 3/29 @ CBJ: W 4-3 (SO)
- 3/28 vs MIN: W 6-3
- 3/25 @ BUF: W 4-3 (OT)
- Earlier regulation win contributing to current surge
Boston has been dominant lately, especially in the third period, with strong special teams and goaltending.
Florida Panthers (2-3-0):
- 3/31 vs OTT: W 6-3
- 3/29 @ NYR: L 1-3
- 3/28 @ NYI: L 2-5
- 3/26 vs MIN: L 2-3
- Earlier loss
Florida has shown occasional offensive flashes at home but has been inconsistent and defensively vulnerable amid the injury wave.
Key Player Matchups
- David Pastrnak (BOS, 29G-66A) / Viktor Arvidsson (hot streak, recent hat trick) vs. Panthers’ depleted blueline (no Ekblad/Balinskis): Expect heavy zone pressure and odd-man rushes.
- Jeremy Swayman (BOS, 30-15-4, 2.73 GAA, .908 SV%) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA): Swayman has been stellar; Bobrovsky faces a heavy workload behind a makeshift defense.
- Matthew Tkachuk / remaining Panthers forwards vs. Bruins checking lines and shutdown D: Tkachuk remains dangerous, but Boston’s structure limits space.
- Secondary Scoring: Bruins depth (Arvidsson, Lindholm if active) vs. Panthers call-ups – home energy may help Florida early, but depth favors Boston.
Bruins’ speed, forecheck, and special teams project a clear edge across the ice.
Series History
The Panthers lead the 2025-26 season series 2-0 (5-4 SO win on Feb. 4; 4-3 win on Oct. 21). Florida is eyeing a season-series sweep. All-time the Bruins hold the edge, but recent regular-season meetings have been competitive and often gone to overtime/shootout. Boston has struggled to close out games in Sunrise lately.
Betting Trends
- Bruins are 7-1-2 in their last 10 and 4-0 SU in their current streak; Panthers 4-6-0 in last 10.
- Boston is 3-8 SU in its last 11 vs. Florida but metrics favor them heavily here.
- Totals trend Over in many Bruins road contests; Panthers home games have been higher-scoring amid injuries.
