Elias Lindholm scores 1st of Boston’s 3 goals in 1st period, carrying Bruins past Panthers, 4-1

BOSTON (AP) — Elias Lindholm, Mikey Eyssimont and Morgan Geekie each scored a goal in an opening period that started out testy, carrying the Boston Bruins past the Florida Panthers 4-1 on Sunday. Jeremy Swayman made 40 saves, 17 coming in the first period, for the Bruins, who improved to 7-0-0 at home by winning their fourth straight game a day after placing young star James Hagens on injured reserve. JJ Peterka added a goal for Boston, which owns a plus-21 goal differential at TD Garden. David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha each added two assists. Carter Verhaeghe scored a power-play goal for the Panthers, and Jacob Markstrom stopped 32 shots. Florida has lost three of four games. Boston’s 6-foot-7 defenseman Nikita Zadorov dropped the gloves against 6-foot-1 forward Brady Tkachuk at the opening faceoff, setting the stage for 126 total penalty minutes. Just over six minutes later, Florida’s Garnet Hathaway squared off against forward Mark Kastelic. The Panthers swept the t