The Bruins stay alive against the Panthers, the Oilers tied their series with the Canucks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Boston Bruins avoided elimination by nipping the Florida Panthers 2-1 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves, Charlie McAvoy had a goal and an assist and Morgan Geekie scored for the Bruins. Sam Reinhart replied for the Panthers, who hold a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 will be in Boston on Friday, May 17.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swayman was superb while McAvoy played his best game of this series for the Bruins. Their penalty killers also stepped up, successfully nullifying four Panthers power-play opportunities. The Bruins played without captain Brad Marchand, who missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice wasn’t pleased with his club’s listless start to this game. He laid into his players with an expletive-laden “pep talk” on the bench during the first TV timeout in the second period. The Panthers improved after that, with Reinhart scoring 11 seconds later.

The Bruins unsuccessfully challenged a crucial goal by the Panthers in Game 4. This time, it was the Panthers as their challenge of McAvoy’s goal didn’t go their way.

A late goal by Evan Bouchard lifted the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, tying their second-round series at two games apiece. Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl each had a goal and an assist while Calvin Pickard made 19 saves to win his first NHL playoff start. Conor Garland and Dakota Joshua scored for the Canucks as they overcame a 2-0 deficit in the third period before Bouchard’s game-winner for the Oilers. The series returns to Vancouver for Game 5 on Thursday, May 16 at 10 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet wasn’t happy with the performance of center Elias Pettersson. “He needs to get going,” Tocchet said. “I don’t know what else to say.” Pettersson has four points in 10 games during this postseason.

The Canucks coach didn’t stop there, claiming there were “five or six” other players who must step up their play. “You can’t win if you have five, six, or seven passengers. It’s playoff hockey. One of those guys can be the hero for us next game, but they’ve got to step up.”

Tocchet didn’t indicate who those other players were but it wasn’t top players like Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. Those three have consistently played well in this series.

Oilers forward Adam Henrique missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Artemi Panarin’s recent scoring slump has contributed to his club’s two losses to the Carolina Hurricanes in their second-round series. He had two game-winning goals and four assists in the first three games but was held pointless in the following two games. Panarin was held to two shots while being on the ice for four five-on-five goals against.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers hold a 3-2 lead over the Hurricanes in this series with Game 6 on Thursday. It could go the Blueshirts’ way if Panarin regains his scoring touch.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Depth scoring was a key factor in the Hurricanes’ victories over the Rangers. They’ve had 15 players with at least one goal in this postseason.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon shouldered the blame for his club’s loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 4 of their second-round series. “Yeah, we stunk early. I was bad. I got to be better, especially early,” he said following an optional skate on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars hold a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Avalanche and can wrap it up with a win on Wednesday in Dallas.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars forward Roope Hintz underwent tests for an upper-body injury suffered during Game 4. Defenseman Chris Tanev also left that game following a hit by Avalanche forward Ross Colton. Stars coach Pete DeBoer said Tanev looked fine yesterday.

IN OTHER NEWS…

SPORTSNET: An overtime goal by John Tavares gave Canada a face-saving 7-6 win over Austria in the 2024 IIHF World Championships. Austria overcame a 6-1 third-period deficit to force the extra frame.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The number of countries considered easy pickings for Canada in international competition has steadily shrunk over the past two decades. Austria nearly burned them for letting up after taking what seemed to be a commanding lead into the third period.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets interviewed former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube regarding their vacant head coaching position. They’ve also expressed interest in Sheldon Keefe after he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs last week. Meanwhile, Jets assistant coach Scott Arniel has also expressed interest in the job.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks announced they will not renew the contracts of assistant coaches Newell Brown and Craig Johnson.

Meanwhile, Ducks assistant general manager Rob DiMaio has left the Ducks for personal reasons. He was also the GM of their AHL affiliate in San Diego. Mike Stapleton takes over as Ducks assistant GM while Rick Paterson takes over the San Diego job.

TORONTO SUN: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto is undergoing a $350 million upgrade during the summer. It’s not expected to affect the Maple Leafs or the NBA’s Raptors’ schedules for next season.