Jesper Boqvist came up big for Panthers in Game 5 and ‘enjoyed every second of it’
Jesper Boqvist understood the opportunity ahead of him.
He also knew he couldn’t let it get the better of him.
After sitting for two games midway through the Florida Panthers’ second-round Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boqvist was back in the lineup for a pivotal Game 5 on Wednesday with Evan Rodrigues out due to injury.
But Boqvist wasn’t in his customary spot on the fourth line.
No. The 26-year-old forward was getting top-line responsibilities alongside stars and Selke Trophy finalists Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart.
“It’s a great opportunity, obviously, to play with two great players,” Boqvist told the Miami Herald after the team’s morning skate. “I’ve just got to do what I do. I can’t be someone else, right? ... It’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
It was, indeed, a lot of fun for Boqvist, who excelled in his role and was a critical piece in the Panthers’ eventual 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series.
Boqvist had a secondary assist on Florida’s first goal, an Aaron Ekblad wrist shot from the right circle after a lengthy shift of offensive zone time. He then scored his first goal of the postseason himself midway through the second period off a feed from Reinhart to push the Panthers’ lead to 3-0.
“I enjoyed every second of it,” Boqvist said. “It obviously helped playing with two of the best players in the world. I just tried to move my feet and go to the net.”
Boqvist was also steady with his defensive responsibilities, working a strong forecheck and complementing the games of Barkov and Reinhart while playing more minutes than usual.
In 10 minutes on the ice together at five-on-five, the line of Boqvist, Barkov and Reinhart held an 18-12 lead over the Maple Leafs in scoring chances and 11-5 edge in scoring chances while also scoring goals. He also had eight hits.
“He’s just got so much speed [and] battles out there,” Reinhart said. “Any time you can get those legs, especially in a tight-checking series like this, it’s going to be a positive. He stepped in, was very comfortable and made some big plays for us.”
Boqvist had shown glimpses of what he can do throughout the year, setting a career-high with 12 goals and tying a career-high with 23 points while primarily playing on the third or fourth line. It’s why the Panthers gave him a two-year contract extension earlier this season after signing him to a one-year deal this offseason to fortify their forward depth.
“He’s kind of the guy that has scored big goals for us this year,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “He ended up with 12, but they weren’t the last goal in a run. Those are the fun stories for our room because they work hard. They don’t get on the magazines. They’re not on the front of it, but it’s special.”
But Boqvist was also cognizant of Florida’s depth, especially after acquiring Nico Sturm and Brad Marchand at the trade deadline and Matthew Tkachuk returning from injury at the start of the playoffs.
After playing in each of Florida’s first seven playoff games — all five in the first round against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the first two against Toronto — he found himself as a healthy scratch in Games 3 and 4 after Maurice opted to swap out his entire fourth line.
The swap worked, with Florida winning both of those games to even the series after dropping the first two matchups.
Boqvist, meanwhile, waited for his next opportunity.
“We have such a good team, right?” Boqvist said. “You’ve gotta take what you get and do good with it and stay ready when another chance is there.”
Boqvist was certainly ready on Wednesday, and now the Panthers are one win away from advancing in the playoffs.
.JPG)