Bruins vs. Panthers Game 2 featured wild 10-man fight in NHL Playoffs
These teams still HATE each other.
There’s no love lost between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers. A massive, multi-player fight broke out with under nine minutes left in the third period of Game 2, with all 10 skaters throwing haymakers from every angle.
Fight Night in South Florida! pic.twitter.com/ySldWCCnta
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) May 9, 2024
It kicked off due to two separate incidents on the same play. The first happened in the slot, as Justin Brazeau of the Bruins cross checked Eetu Luostarinen in the back, before the Panthers instigated their own fight close to the net when Oliver Ekman-Larsson shoved James van Riemsdyk.
Of the two incidents it was the beef with van Riemsdyk which caught the most attention, leading to everyone getting involved and swinging — before refs eventually separated the teams.
This is a case of oil meets water between these teams. Boston are the tougher, more physical team — while Florida is more of a finesse, offensive team who feel the need to assert themselves so they don’t get run over. This is intensified by the fact these teams simply really don’t like each other.
The Panthers eliminated the Bruins in a brutal seven game series during the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and bad will seems to be carrying over. With the series now tied at 1-1 after Florida delivered the Bruins an embarrassing 6-1 loss in Game 2, it could lead to more fireworks when these teams take the ice again.