In the Boston Bruins‘ 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series on Wednesday, David Pastrnak showed some guts, agreeing to fight Matthew Tkachuk near the end of the blowout.
Pasta and Tkachuk agreed to fight before going at it the next shift! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HOVK6Spfpi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2024
However, while both combatants clearly agreed upon the fight, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery took issue with punches from Tkachuk that may have come well after the brouhaha was technically over.
Montgomery on Tkachuk throwing extra punch as Pastrnak went down: “that’s not part of the game to me.”
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) May 9, 2024
With Game 2’s result already in hand, Pastrnak, known more for his goal-scoring touch than his tendency to mix it up, not only accepted Tkachuk’s challenge but also told, not asked, Montgomery he was doing so.
A tad out of his depth, Pastrnak flailed a bit for crumbling to the ice, which gave the Panthers antagonist a chance at some free shots, a no-no when it comes to the fighting “code” in the NHL.
PASTRNAK AND TKACHUK DROP THE GLOVES! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/RQqDxyOO2F
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2024
Regardless of how the fight with Tkachuk ended, Pastrnak showed no fear after the game.
“I’m not afraid of him,” Pastrnak said, via Scott McLaughlin of WEEI. “I can take a punch. I’d do anything for these guys here.”
There aren’t many positives to take away from a five-goal loss in the playoffs. However, Pastrnak showed uncanny leadership skills and heart when taking on Tkachuk, who is much more experienced when it comes to dropping the gloves.
Pastrnak created extra momentum for his team heading into Game 3 out of nothing, taking the focus off Wednesday’s one-sided loss while placing it firmly on his run-in with Tkachuk. However, we’ll have to wait and see how it ultimately works out for the Bruins, with the series now knotted up at one game apiece and heading to Boston for Games 3 and 4.
