Just how off the rails is this second-round series between the Bruins and Panthers?
It took less than one period of play for Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman to challenge Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk to a scrap.
In the closing minutes of the first period of Game 4 at TD Garden, Swayman — never one to shirk away from conflict — swiped at Tkachuk as he skated past Boston’s net. Tkachuk turned to face Swayman and exchanged words with Boston’s netminder, with Swayman beckoning him closer with his glove.
Tkachuk and Swayman did not drop the gloves, as we all expected.