Bruins at Panthers
The Atlantic Division-leading Boston Bruins attempt to extend their winning streak to five games when they visit the Florida Panthers on Sunday. Boston has responded to a home loss to Washington on March 1 with a vengeance, outscoring its opponents 16-7 over its last four games. The Bruins kept the streak going Saturday as Reilly Smith scored the lone shootout goal in the seventh round for a 4-3 triumph at Tampa Bay.
Boston looks to complete a sweep of the five-game season series, which it has dominated by winning by three or more goals in each of the last three meetings after posting a one-goal victory on Oct. 17. Things might be a little more difficult for the Bruins this time around as they face a Panthers team with Roberto Luongo in tow. The veteran netminder got his second stint with Florida off to a great start Friday as he made 25 saves against Buffalo for his 66th career shutout.
TV: 5 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSN (Florida)
ABOUT THE BRUINS (41-17-5): Boston stretched its lead over Montreal in the Atlantic Division to 10 points and pulled within one of Pittsburgh for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins wrap up their three-game road trip Wednesday against the Canadiens. Boston extended its winning streak against Florida to eight games with a 4-1 home victory on Tuesday.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (24-32-7): Friday's shutout was the fourth of the season for Luongo, who hadn't played since Feb. 8 with Vancouver. "I just wanted to have a good game," he said. "Kudos to all the guys in front of me. It was really a team effort." The victory was just the second in seven games for Florida, which is 2-4-0 in its last six at home.
OVERTIME
1. The Bruins are riding a nine-game point streak on the road (6-0-3).
2. Florida has totaled three goals in its last two games following a 5-3 triumph over the New York Islanders on March 2.
3. Boston G Tuukka Rask has recorded three shutouts and a 0.99 goals-against average during his personal nine-start winning streak versus the Panthers.