When the Boston Bruins host the Florida Panthers at TD Garden on Monday night, it’s going to mean a little bit more. After a historic season in 2022-2023 that saw Boston go an incredible 65-12-5 for 135 points, with an absurd goal differential of +128… they lost to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the first round of the NHL Playoffs. Fortunately, Boston is picking up their regular season right where they left the last one off. They’re currently 7-0-1, second in the NHL behind only the Vegas Golden Knights who are a perfect 8-0.
The Panthers have had a slower start. After going to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2022-2023 and losing to the Golden Knights, Florida is 4-3-0 to start the season, sitting 6th in the Atlantic Division with 8 points. Injuries have already piled up for Florida with key D-men Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad out of the line-up. Sam Bennett, who was injured in the pre-season, has yet to play but could be in for the game against the Bruins.
At a Glance:
- Matchup: Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers
- Date and Time: Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 at 7 p.m. ET
- Home Rink Advantage: Boston
- Team Records: Boston (7-0-1), Florida (4-3-0)
- Odds: Boston favored by 1.5 points
- TV Channel: Bally Sports Florida and NESN
Odds & Analysis
Betting Lines
| Favorite | Spread | Over/Under | Las Vegas Score Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | -1.5 | 6 | Boston 3, Florida 2 |
The Boston Bruins have been red hot to start the 2023-24 season and enter the game against the Panthers as the favorites. The story for the Bruins has been their defense. They’ve allowed an NHL-best 12 goals against in their first eight games, supported by two goaltenders playing lights-out. Linus Ullmark is 3-0-1 with a .937 SV%, while Jeremy Swayman is 4-0-0 with one shutout and a .957 SV% - both save percentages in the top six in the NHL. Offensively, Boston has been average. They’ve got 26 goals for, led by David Pastrnak with eight goals in eight games, T-2 in the NHL. He’s also got 13 points, T-4.
Florida is coming in with a 4-3-0 record, having won two in a row against the Sharks and Kraken. Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk are off to slower-than-usual starts, with only one goal each in the first seven games. Offensively, Florida is averaging 2.86 goals per game while also allowing 2.86 goals per game. The possible return of forward Sam Bennett could bolster their lineup, especially given they’re playing without Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour on defense. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky’s performance has been average, with a 2.88 GAA and a .906 SV%. Boston has a definite goaltending advantage, which is one of the reasons they’re the favorite, along with key injuries to Panthers D.
Team Stats
| Statistic | Florida | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Goals For | 20 | 26 |
| Goals Against | 20 | 12 |
| Diff | 0 | +14 |
| Total Points | 8 | 15 |
| Points Percentage | .571 | .938 |
The Bruins are playing great defensive hockey, averaging a mere 1.5 goals against per game - the lowest in the NHL. They’re averaging 3.25 goals per game, with Pasta racking up 13 points in eight games. Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy are also off to great starts. This is all despite a lackluster powerplay that’s just a shade over 17% going 5 of 29. On the PK, Boston has been almost perfect, killing 34 of 35 for 97%. And they’re winning despite an average shooting percentage right around 10%, so they’re not running puck luck in the offensive zone.
The Panthers are running in place without key defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour. They are even in goal differential with 20 goals for and 20 against and sit with eight points out of a possible 14. Their powerplay is about as bad as Boston’s – sitting at 16%. But their PK is much, much worse than Boston’s – a gaudy 67%. They’ll need to stay out of the penalty box if they’re going to have a chance against the Bruins.
Florida and Boston Goalie Matchup:
| Goalie | Team | Record | Sv% | GAA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergei Bobrovski | Florida | 3-3-0 | .907 | 2.88 | 0 |
| Linus Ullmark | Boston | 3-0-1 | .937 | 1.74 | 0 |
Boston’s goaltenders have been sensational for them early this season. Linus Ullmark is 3-0-1 with a .937 SV%, while Jeremy Swayman is 4-0-0 with one shutout and a .957 SV%. Swayman’s save percentage is third in the NHL, behind only Joseph Woll (.961) and what looks to be the Jonathon Quick of old, who ranks first in the NHL with .982. Swayman is second in the league with 7.5 goals saved above expected, while Ullmark sits 12th with 3.2.
On the other end of the rink, Sergei Bobrovski has been average to start the season. He enters the game 3-3-0, with a .907 save percentage and a 2.88 goals against. He’s saved just 0.2 goals above expected – which ranks 38th in the NHL. But, as everyone saw in Florida’s run to the Finals last year, Bob can get hot at any moment. The Panthers are hoping that spark lights against the Bruins.
How to Watch the Boston vs. Florida Game?
On Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at 7 p.m. ET the Boston Bruins face the Florida Panthers from TD Gardon in Boston. The game is airing exclusively on Bally Sports Florida and NESN, which you can stream with a five-day free trial of DIRECTV STREAM.
| DTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Get $25 OFF | Sign Up | |||
| $79.99 | $94.99 | $76.99 | $25 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
| Bally Sports Florida | + $29 | ✓ | - | - | - | - | - | |
| NESN | + $29 | ✓ | - | - | - | - | - | |
The Boston vs. Florida game will be streaming on Bally Sports Florida and NESN, which is available with a subscription to DIRECTV STREAM. You can also stream the game on Fubo and ESPN+ if you’re out of market, as well as Bally Sports Plus in the Florida market.
1.) Can you stream Boston vs. Florida on DIRECTV STREAM?
You can watch the Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers game on Bally Sports Florida and NESN with a five-day free trial of DIRECTV STREAM and then $10 off your first three months of the streamer's Choice Plan. You will also be able to stream other channels that carry hockey games including ABC, ESPN2, NHL Network, TBS, and TNT.
In addition to being able to watch hockey on regional sports networks (RSNs) on DIRECTV STREAM, the live streamer also has the best selection of network and cable channels to be able to watch the NFL, College Football, the NBA, MLB Playoffs, and all of your other sporting needs.
While Bally Sports Florida and NESN are not part of the base Entertainment package, they are included on the next tier, the Choice plan, which costs $99.99 per month and offers 90 channels including all 35 of the top cable networks. Also, you can sign up for whichever package you want during your free trial and you will be able to sample the complete offerings at no cost.
2.) Can you stream Boston vs. Florida on Fubo?
You can watch the Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers game on Bally Sports Florida and NESN with a one-day free trial of Fubo. You will also be able to stream ABC, ESPN2, NHL Network, TBS, and TNT.
3.) Can you stream Boston vs. Florida on ESPN+?
If you live outside of Florida or Boston, you can stream Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers, and every out-of-market NHL game with NHL Power Play on ESPN+. To watch the game, all you need is a subscription to ESPN+, or The Disney Bundle.
4.) Can you stream Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers on Bally Sports+?
You can if you are in the Florida media market. Bally Sports Florida streams live on Bally Sports+ and you can check it all out with a one-week free trial. After that, monthly subscriptions start at $19.99.
5.) Can you stream Boston vs. Florida on Sling TV?
Unfortunately, you cannot watch the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers game with a subscription to Sling TV.
6.) Can you stream Boston vs. Florida on Hulu Live TV?
No, you can’t watch the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers game on subscription to Hulu + Live TV. The live streamer is included in The Disney Bundle and allows you to stream ABC, ESPN2, TBS, and TNT.
7.) Can you stream Boston vs. Florida on YouTube TV?
No, the channel broadcasting the game is not included with a subscription to YouTube TV.