The Florida Panthers faced a tall order last night, go into Boston and beat the Bruins at home. The Bruins are 11-1-1 in their last 13 games, are winners of 7 games in a row at home, and are tied for the lead in the Eastern Conference. Not many people would have given the Panthers much chance of winning and in the end the game played out as expected with Boston winning 4-2.

Quick goals was the name of the game for Boston as they scored just 2:46 into the 1st period to take a 1-0 lead. David Booth would answer back for the Panthers with his 9th goal of the season at 8:01, but just 2 minutes later Boston would retake the lead for good, 2-1.

The 2nd period was no different for the Bruins as they scored 2 goals 2 minutes apart from each other to stretch their lead to 4-1. Boston would control much of the 2nd period blasting 21 shots on goal and scoring one of their two goals on the power play.

In the 3rd period Florida would score a bit of a consolation goal as Ville Peltonen would find the back of the net with just over 3 minutes remaining in the game. In the end, the 4-2 score would make the game seem closer than it was throughout.

Florida was simply dogged by their usual problems, ineffective special teams and being outshot. Boston outshot Florida 38-32 for the game, and while it isn’t the usual staggering difference, Boston made their shots count. The Panthers allowed a power play goal while being shut out on 4 chances of their own.

Florida now returns home where they have the weekend off before facing more tough tests next week. Monday they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes, Wednesday they get a rematch with New Jersey, and Friday they welcome the other Eastern Conference leading team, the New York Rangers. The Panthers have no time to dwell on an unsuccessful road trip, things get no easier next week.