David Pastrnak’s immediate reaction to ending the Bruins’ skid with a fortuitous game-winner in OT

The The Boston Bruins entered their game Saturday on the road against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers with a six-game losing streak. While the Panthers were outplayed and outplayed for much of the game, they had a lucky bounce in overtime on a David Pastrnak pass attempt to earn a 4-3 win.

Pastrnak tried to send a pass to Elias Lindholm in the final seconds of overtime, but the rebound bounced off the stick of Panthers forward Sam Reinhart and landed in the net past goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

Pastrnak was delighted that the Bruins could end their losing streak. “What a great win for us.” We needed it” said Pastrnak. “It’s fortunate that we had a power play in OT and a lucky goal, so we’ll take that.”

The game-winning goal came with 2 seconds left in the extra session, and it mirrored Florida’s tying goal to send the game into overtime. Reinhart scored that goal with 3 seconds left in the game when his shot bounced high over the glove of Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swyman and into the net. That goal tied the score at 3-3 and gave the Panthers a point. Florida is the only team in the NHL that hasn’t lost a game by one goal in the regular season.

The Panthers dominated the Bruins for large parts of the game

The Bruins were able to build a one-goal lead three different times, but the Panthers were able to dictate the pace of the game. They fired 109 shots on Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, while Boston managed just 37 shots on Bobrovsky’s net.

While Florida coach Paul Morris clearly didn’t like the results, he was pleased with the way his team played. “We played well, we have over 100 shot attempts. Morris said. “Thanks to the guys for sticking with it until the last second or two.”

The Bruins took it a 3-2 lead on Oliver Wallstrom’s goal at 2:06 of the third period. The goal was Wahlstrom’s first in a Bruins uniform as he found the rebound off a Charlie McAvoy shot and slid it under Bobrovsky.

Swayman finished the game with 40 saves on 43 shots that reached the net. Bruins coach Joe Sacco gave the nod to the goalkeeper because he came up with a great performance when the team needed him the most. “He was the difference in the game,” Sacco said. “The goalkeeper played very well and that’s what you need sometimes when you’re going through the situation we’re in.” We had an outstanding goal today, and it was the difference in the game.

Steve Silverman has covered the NFL for more than 35 years, and his writing has appeared in ESPN Magazine, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly and Forbes.com. He has written 10 books, including “Who’s Better, Who’s the Best in the NFL.”