The Boston Bruins look on from the bench after giving up an empty net goal late in the third period against the Florida Panthers. Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins' Game 6 loss to Panthers conjures up bad postseason memories

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/28/23

Once up 3-1 in their first-round series against the Florida Panthers, the Boston Bruins are only one loss away from watching their remarkable 2022-23 campaign go up in smoke.

Following Friday's 7-5 loss to the Panthers to force a Game 7, Boston has dropped two in a row to Florida in a slide that looks oddly familiar, and not in a good way for the Bruins.

In 2010, the Bruins found themselves in a similar situation, leading the Philadelphia Flyers three games to none in the second round. That year, the Bruins lost four straight to the Flyers and even blew a 3-0 lead in Game 7 to lose the series in the most excruciating way possible.

May 14, 2010: The Flyers come back from a 3-0 1st period deficit to beat the Bruins 4-3 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Flyers were down 3-0 in the series before pulling off four straight wins to advance to the ECF. pic.twitter.com/j4YjGzoEaw
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) May 14, 2020

Choking away a three-game advantage 13 seasons ago certainly left a mark on the Bruins. However, after what Boston has accomplished this season, failing to get by the Panthers would arguably be an even worse collapse.

Days after losing Game 5, 4-3, following an overtime blunder by goaltender Linus Ullmark, another poor effort late in the game did Boston in on Friday.

Trailing Florida 3-2 through two periods, Boston took a brief lead after tallying the first two goals of the third. Unfortunately, they allowed Florida to score four of the following five goals en route to the Game 6 victory.

Shortly after Game 5 hero Matthew Tkachuk tallied his second goal of the game to tie things up at 5-5, Eetu Luostarinen scored the game-winner at 14:22 to keep Florida's season alive.

THERE WILL BE A GAME 7 IN BOSTON

The @FlaPanthers would not go away quietly in Game 6, and shortly after the teams traded third period goals, Eetu Luostarinen RIPS home the eventual game winner! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/8HsayvGv6H
— NHL (@NHL) April 29, 2023

Entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Bruins were among the heavy favorites to win it all, but their record-setting season will come down to one game.

The Bruins will host the Panthers for Game 7 on Sunday, looking to avoid the ghosts of postseasons past.

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