Bruins Daily: ESPN Doubts Bruins; Lohrei; Bennett

Are the so-called experts at ESPN a bit nervous today with the Boston Bruins having the chance to take a 2-0 series lead back to Boston for Games 3 and 4 against the Florida Panthers?

Before it began, the ESPN NHL hockey crew did a panel take on who would win the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Bruins and Panthers. Only regular intermission studio host Steve Levy picked the Bruins to come out victorious in the series, picking the underdog Bruins to win in seven games.

Sean Allen: Panthers in six
John Buccigross: Panthers in five
Ryan Callahan: Panthers in six
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Panthers in five
Sachin Chandan: Panthers in seven
Ryan S. Clark: Panthers in seven
Linda Cohn: Panthers in six
Ray Ferraro: Panthers in six
Leah Hextall: Panthers in six
Emily Kaplan: Panthers in seven
Tim Kavanagh: Panthers in six
Hilary Knight: Panthers in five
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Panthers in six
Steve Levy: Bruins in seven
Vince Masi: Panthers in six
Victoria Matiash: Panthers in six
Sean McDonough: Panthers in seven
Mark Messier: Panthers in five
AJ Mleczko: Panthers in six
Arda Öcal: Panthers in five
Kristen Shilton: Panthers in five
P.K. Subban: Panthers in six
Bob Wischusen: Panthers in seven
Greg Wyshynski: Panthers in five

Consensus prediction: Panthers (23 of 24 picks)

This puck scribe, by the way, agreed with Levy and also said that the Bruins would ride the momentum of their Game 7 overtime win over the Maple Leafs this past Saturday to beat the rusty Panthers, who had not played since eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 29, in Game 1. Will the Bruins make those 23 on the panel that picked against them regret their picks?

How'd I do on that Game 1 prediction, lads? https://t.co/L0u8aHMIJ5

— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) May 7, 2024

Here’s the rest of your Boston Hockey Now Bruins Daily:

Boston Bruins

Boston Hockey Now: The NHL world and his teammates are noticing the blossoming skill of rookie Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei.

Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins rode the momentum of their Game 7 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and beat the Florida Panthers 5-1 thanks to goalie Jeremy Swayman.

Boston Hockey Now: A new baby son and a clutch goal for Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo.

Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins are again proving the naysayers wrong, thanks to the simplicity of their leadership core and head coach Jim Montgomery.

Patriots Football Now: For the latest on the New England Patriots, check out our sister NFL site, Patriots Football Now!

Atlantic Division

Florida Hockey Now: Will Sam Bennett return for Game 2 and the Florida Panthers?

Buffalo Hockey Now: The QMJHL Defensive Player of The Year was a prospect for the Buffalo Sabres.

Montreal Hockey Now: For a second straight year, the fifth overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft belongs to the Montreal Canadiens.

Detroit Hockey Now: NHL Draft position stayed the same for the Detroit Red Wings.

TSN: Travis Green is the new head coach of the Ottawa Senators.

NHL

NYI Hockey Now: There will be no management or head coaching changes, but there will be roster changes for the New York Islanders.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Could Jay Woodcroft become the next head coach of the New Jersey Devils?

Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers remained in the same slot for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel has been a Godsend for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Nashville Hockey Now: What was the most glaring weakness of the 2023-24 Nashville Predators?

Vegas Hockey Now: Who will be part of the free agent exodus for the Vegas Golden Knights?

San Jose Hockey Now: The San Jose Sharks won the NHL Draft Lottery and will all but likely use the No. 1 pick overall on Boston University center Macklin Celebrini.