Jacob Markstrom is projected to start for the Panthers this afternoon in Boston, FlaHockeyNow reports, while the Bruins stick with Jeremy Swayman.

Florida is closing a back-to-back, and Markstrom gets the call a day after the Panthers lost 4-3 in Washington. Boston arrives at TD Garden for the matinee at 12-4-1 and on a three-game winning streak.

FlaHockeyNow noted that Akira Schmid, who made 27 saves on 31 shots in his last start, backs up.

On the Boston side, Jack Studley relayed Marco Sturm's word that Swayman starts, with Matthew Poitras and Michael Eyssimont both in the lineup.

Poitras centers the fourth line, while Eyssimont skates with Fraser Minten and Morgan Geekie. The defense stays the same. Eyssimont has not played a game yet this season, according to the latest numbers.

Advertisement

The goalie numbers are the real story here, and RotoWire laid out both last-five samples.

Markstrom is 2-2-0 with a 3.53 GAA and a .864 save percentage. Swayman is 2-2-1 with a 2.93 GAA and a .878 save percentage, and he has played 12 of Boston's 17 games.

Can Florida lean on Markstrom on the second night?

Not with much confidence. At 36 and with 586 career games behind him, Markstrom is the right choice for a back-to-back, but a .864 over his last five starts is a problem for a team that has allowed 51 goals this season. Boston has allowed 40.

Swayman's .878 is nothing to brag about either, so this is not a clear mismatch. The edge goes to Boston anyway, because its goalie has the lower goals-against number and a team in front of him that is 7-1-0 at home.

Florida also has recent history on its side. The Panthers beat the Bruins 2-1 at home in the last meeting on April 2, 2026, according to RotoWire.

Advertisement

Boston looks like a different group from the one Sturm criticized after the sloppy loss in St. Louis. A fourth straight win would keep the Bruins on top of the Atlantic, and the puck drops this afternoon.

Quick hits

PHILADELPHIA FLYERSDan Vladař is expected to start tonight in Calgary, per Jackie Spiegel. It's a game against his former club, the Flames, and that always adds a little spice for the goalie.

WASHINGTON CAPITALSTom Wilson will not face supplemental discipline for his hit on Sandis Vilmanis, Sammi Silber reports. That's a big break for the Capitals, and the Panthers will have opinions.

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETSDenton Mateychuk left practice early after being hit by a puck during a drill, Brian Hedger reports. No more is known yet, so watch for an update.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSToronto recalled Cole McWard and sent Vinni Lettieri back to the Marlies ahead of tonight's game against the Devils, per Ozoon_CA. Rielly is still waiting.

Advertisement

INJURYJosh Morrissey is not ready to return, RotoWire reports, so the Jets host the Lightning tonight without him. That keeps a hole on the Winnipeg blue line.