Panthers can extend playoff winning streak in Boston, close out Bruins in Game 6

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers have made a habit out of winning at TD Garden in the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past two seasons.

So, they appeared at ease Thursday before heading back there to face the Boston Bruins in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round on Friday (7 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, CBC).

Leading 3-2 in the best-of-7 series, Florida can advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight season with another victory in Boston. It has won five consecutive playoff games there dating to the opening round last season and including Game 3 and 4 of this series.

“It’s awesome,” Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling said of playing at TD Garden. “It’s a great building. We love playing there. We’re ready. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

The Panthers still face some pressure after failing in their first try to close out the Bruins with a 2-1 loss in Game 5 at home Tuesday. There would be more if they lose again Friday and are forced to play a deciding Game 7 at home Sunday.

But they seem to thrive in Boston’s hostile environment, brushing off the positive energy the Bruins get from their fans and whatever negativity is directed at them. A sixth consecutive playoff win at TD Garden would equal the Toronto Maple Leafs (1949-51) for second longest streak by a visitor in Boston and move within one of the record seven held by the New Jersey Devils from 1994 to 2003.

“It’s a great atmosphere there,” Panthers center Aleksander Barkov said. “They love their sports, they love their hockey, so it’s great to play there. … I think overall just being on the road with this group of guys and, obviously, spending more time together and talk about hockey and other stuff all together. So, that kind of builds the team chemistry.

“I think it fits our system of play really well that we want to play really hard and simple, on the road especially.”

After the Panthers overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Bruins in the first round last season, the Bruins are attempting to do the same against them in this series. Boston took the first step toward that with its Game 5 victory and hopes to build momentum with another win at home Friday, with captain Brad Marchand potentially returning after missing the past two games with an upper-body injury.

Having been the team trying to make the comeback last season, the Panthers have an idea what to expect with the Bruins desperate to even the series.

“It’s all perspective,” Panthers coach Paul…