Three-goal second period gives Bruins Game 1 win over Panthers

SUNRISE — Last time the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers faced off in the postseason, Florida was the scrappy underdog — the eighth seed who came back from a 3-1 deficit to send Boston — which notched a record-setting 135 points in the regular season — home earlier than anticipated.

This season, the Panthers are the No. 3 team in the Eastern Conference, one spot ahead of Boston. That made no difference on the ice Monday as the Bruins started this series the way they began last year’s — with a series-opening victory.