The Bruins welcomed the Florida Panthers to the TD Garden Thursday night and after 20 minutes of play have the Panthers in a 0-2 hole. The B’s must still have the bad taste in their mouths from Tuesday night as they coughed up a two-goal lead late in the third period. Zdeno Chara got the B’s off on the right foot as he blasted one past Panthers netminder Scott Clemmensen who did not have a pray. As the B’s continued to pressure Clemmensen, he made a few nice saves until Patrice Bergeron made it 2-0 on a great sequence from start to finish. Seidenberg found a streaking Seguin who then found Marchand who eventually found Bergeron for the tip in. The B’s are doing what they are suppose to be doing-beating up on the lowly Panthers.

First period observations:

1. Great start for the Bruins: The Bruins were coming off a stunning loss to the Penguins and did not let that affect them as they came out pressuring Clemmensen. Chara and Bergeron lit the lamp for the B’s and have them sitting in the driver’s seat heading into the second period.

2. Lucic/Krejci/Horton line showing life: Looks like the B’s first line has their legs back underneath them showing great promise in the first 20 minutes. Each player had multiple opportunities in the first frame and it looks like they heard Claude Julien as he called out this line.

3.  Tuukka being Tuukka:  Tuukka Rask was great in the early going turning away all 11 shots by the Panthers. He is looking for his NHL leading 14th win of the season. He made some acrobatic saves in the first 20 minutes, but other than that the B’s have been in the Panthers zone all night.

Look for the B’s to continue their offensive pressure and not sit on this two-goal lead. I think they have learned a thing or two over the course of the season on sitting back.