Florida was relegated against the Boston Bruins in the NHL playoffs
New York. You can call that a hoax.
The Florida Cats took out the Roaring Bears from Boston last night – and in doing so pulled off the most lopsided series in the entire Stanley Cup playoffs.
“We’ve been taught a lesson in how hard it is to win playoff games,” says Coach Jim Montgomery after the 6-3 home run at TD Garden.
Many of those who spoke before the playoffs, including this writer, considered that the Florida Panthers would be a pep for the series leaders from Boston.
After all, they’ve earned 42 more points than the struggling Cats in the regular season—in a system where wins are awarded with just two points.
But as was clearly demonstrated in Boston’s first two games, and as all President’s Trophy winners in the past decade have attested, the playoffs are very different from the regular season.
“I got a lesson”
The B team won game one, but they were out of control – and last night, to many fans’ surprise, they were beaten 6-3.
Throughout the season we’ve had the ability to breathe deeply and get back into our game when things go wrong against us. We can’t deal with that now. Instead, we kept hitting disaster in the middle of the field, says coach Jim Montgomery.
– It’s a lesson, we learned how hard it is to win the play-offs.
Star Brad Marchand agrees.
– Florida played really well, but at the same time we have to be much better, he notes.
The Swedish star can be pricked
Linus Allmark, who has had such success during the regular season, allowed five of his 29 shots, and in Boston the media is wondering if Montgomery is considering starting Florida’s Jeremy Swaiman Friday night.
– I’m thinking of making changes in all situations, he replies.
Florida Swedish defender Gustav Forsling responded to the assist.
