Bennett scores twice, Panthers open their title defense by getting past rival Bruins 6-4

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sam Bennett scored twice, Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues each had a goal and an assist, and the Florida Panthers opened defense of their Stanley Cup championship by topping the Boston Bruins 6-4 on Tuesday in the opener for both teams.

Euto Luostarinen and Jonah Gadjovich also scored for Florida, while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 24 shots. Florida raised its championship banner before the game.

Pavel Zacha, Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic and David Pastrnak scored for Boston, which had won five consecutive openers. Florida is 4-1 in its last five openers.

Bruins: Boston went with Joonas Korpisalo in net instead of newly re-signed Jeremy Swayman, who got his eight-year, $66 million deal done Sunday. Korpisalo made 29 saves. When it was 5-1 midway through the second, Panthers fans serenaded the Bruins with chants of “We want Swayman.”

Panthers: Florida dealt with some chippiness against Boston, which was ousted by the Panthers the last two postseasons. Much was directed at Matthew Tkachuk — he and the Bruins have plenty of history — but even officials weren't safe. Boston's Max Jones tried to slash Rodrigues, but hit linesman Devin Berg instead to earn a 2-minute unsportsmanlike penalty.

There were two, with the Panthers scoring two quick goals on two occasions in the opening period. Bennett and Luostarinen scored 64 seconds apart for a 2-0 lead. After Boston scored, Reinhart and Bennett scored exactly 60 seconds apart to make it 4-1.

Including playoffs, this was the 22nd meeting between the Panthers and Bruins since the start of the 2022-23 season. No two teams have faced each other more in that span. The wins in those 22 games: Panthers 11, Bruins 11. The goal total: Panthers 74, Bruins 74.

Boston starts a three-game homestand Thursday against Montreal. Florida goes to Ottawa to start a four-game, six-day road trip Thursday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Boston Bruins center John Beecher (19) celebrates a goal by teammate Charlie McAvoy against the Florida Panthers during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) knocks the puck wide as Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) closes in during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Boston Bruins left wing Max Jones (49) accidentally clips linesperson Devin Berg (87) as Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Florida Panthers left wing Jonah Gadjovich (12) celebrates a goal with center Jesper Boqvist (70) against the Boston Bruins during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) makes a save against Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) heads to the bench to celebrate a goal against the Boston Bruins during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) and Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) battle for position during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

The Florida Panthers raise their Stanley Cup championship banner before the start of the NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save in the first period during an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

The Florida Panthers get into scrum with the Boston Bruins during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Napheesa Collier had 27 points and 11 rebounds and Courtney Williams contributed 24 points and both-ends-of-the-court energy to lead the Minnesota Lynx past the Connecticut Sun 88-77 and into the WNBA Finals for the first time in seven years on Tuesday night.

Kayla McBride fueled a strong start with 10 of her 19 points in the first quarter for the Lynx, who advanced to face the top-seeded New York Liberty in Game 1 on Thursday night. The best-of-five series continues with Game 2 in New York on Sunday afternoon, before Minnesota hosts Game 3 on Oct. 16.

The Lynx, who finished second in the league and two games behind the Liberty during the regular season, have won three of four matchups with New York this year. That includes the WNBA Commissioner's Cup on June 25 to take the in-season tournament title.

DiJonai Carrington had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Brionna Jones had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Sun, who shot only 38.5% from the floor (25 for 65) and were flustered into 19 turnovers that the Lynx converted into 22 points.

DeWanna Bonner had 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting for the Sun, who were ousted in the semifinals for the fourth time in six years. They lost in the finals in those other two seasons, 2019 and 2022, when Williams was part of the core that still hasn't cleared that last hurdle to the franchise's first title.

Williams, who’s in her first year with Minnesota, was on a mission to make it there from the tip. The fiery ninth-year point guard was the catalyst on both ends of the floor, attacking the basket, pushing the pace on the break and pestering the Connecticut ball-handlers. Williams had her most points in a playoff game since 2019 and added seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.

The Lynx built a lead as large as 21 points in the second quarter, six more than their biggest of any of the first four games. They had a sluggish start to the second half that was muted by the Sun’s cold shooting, before Alanna Smith swished a 3-pointer to end a 4:22 scoreless skid.

Then Williams swiped the ball away from Bonner as she drove to the basket and sped the other way for a layup and a 58-41 lead. Collier drained a 3-pointer to cap that 12-0 run.

Connecticut eliminated Minnesota here in the decisive Game 3 of the first round last season. Since winning Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in 2017 for their fourth championship in seven years, the Lynx were just 1-4 in winner-take-all games in the playoffs.

The atmosphere at Target Center matched the moment, with a raucous crowd that included former Lynx star and Hall of Fame member Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and two members of the state’s congressional delegation, Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Tina Smith.

Collier, who averaged 40 points in the two-game sweep of the Phoenix Mercury in the first round and had 29 points and 13 rebounds at Connecticut in Game 4, was her usual cool self with the confidence and determination of a star chasing her first championship.

Alyssa Thomas had a quiet seven points and six assists for the Sun, who trailed by double digits for all but 12 seconds of the final three quarters. Marina Mabrey, who came off the bench for the second straight game, hurt her leg in the first half from an awkward step on the baseline and played 14 minutes.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots over Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun guards DiJonai Carrington (21) and Veronica Burton (22) talk during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, shoots over Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx players celebrates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) celebrates with teammates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, center, celebrates with teammates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White reacts after a foul called on the Sun during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) works toward the basket as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) defends during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) points after making a shot during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) reacts toward a referee during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) reacts after a Connecticut Sun timeout called during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)