Panthers Edge Bruins 4-3 in Thrilling Matchup

Brad Marchand delivered two primary assists in an emotional return to Boston, helping the Florida Panthers edge the Boston Bruins 4-3 at TD Garden on Tuesday night. The Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak, improving to 4-4-0, while the Bruins suffered their fifth consecutive defeat. Marchand, the last remaining member of Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup-winning team and now a Panther following last season’s trade deadline, received multiple standing ovations from the Boston crowd. His presence proved pivotal throughout the night. Florida struck first on the power play just over a minute into the game. Marchand drew a tripping penalty 33 seconds after puck drop, and Mackie Samoskevich capitalized on the ensuing advantage, crashing the crease to score at 1:01 of the first period. A.J. Greer extended the Panthers’ lead to 2-0 in the second. Boston responded in the third, rallying from a two-goal deficit. Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm scored to tie the game. Midway through the period, Marchand skated through the neutral zone and set up Eetu Luostarinen, who beat Jeremy Swayman to reclaim the lead for Florida at 3-2. With Boston’s net empty, Morgan Geekie leveled the score 3-3 with just 1:31 remaining. However, Carter Verhaeghe netted the game-winner with 27 seconds left, securing the Panthers’ victory. Verhaeghe’s late goal was the Panthers’ latest game-winning tally since February 2025. Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves for Florida, including six high-danger stops according to NaturalStatTrick.com, while Swayman finished with 19 saves for Boston. Sam Bennett led the Panthers with 11 faceoff wins, and Niko Mikkola blocked a team-high three shots. Marchand, who helped the Panthers to their second consecutive Stanley Cup title last season, was visibly moved by the pregame tribute and the crowd’s reaction. After the win, he reflected on his time in Boston and expressed gratitude for his current teammates: “I left [Boston] and I turned the page, and I found something truly special again that I’m very proud and blessed to be a part of. … I’m so grateful to be in this dressing room with this group. I built something special with every guy in this room last year.” Up next, the Panthers return home to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night, while Boston looks to halt their skid against the Anaheim Ducks. For more detailed stats and game analysis, visit Panthers 4-3 Bruins (Oct 21, 2025) Game Recap on ESPN and the official NHL game recap.