Morning Sports Update

Matthew Tkachuk gave David Pastrnak ‘tons of respect’ for Game 2 fight

"We weren't going out there to play Patty Cake. We were going out there to have some fun in the fight and try to land some punches."

David Pastrnak Matthew Tkachuk fight
David Pastrnak and Matthew Tkachuk during their Game 2 fight. Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff

By Hayden Bird

Matthew Tkachuk on the fight with David Pastrnak: Though the Game 2 scoreline didn’t go the Bruins’ way, David Pastrnak won plaudits from his own team for electing to fight Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk.

As it turns out, Pastrnak also won the respect of his rival. Asked about the origin of the fight by reporters on Thursday, Tkachuk said that he initially intended for it to happen in Game 1 (which the Bruins won 5-1).

“I think it was just their bottom six guys were doing what they were doing, which I don’t think we really liked on our side,” Tkachuk said. “I guess they kind of started it there.

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“I kind of just asked him to fight,” Tkachuk explained. “He said we’ll do it next game. I’m like, ‘I think we should just do it right now.'”

In Game 2, the stars aligned.

“Give him tons and tons of respect,” Tkachuk said of Pastrnak. “Two guys that aren’t known for fighting, me and him, and two players that are probably known more for their offensive side of the game. Tons of respect for him.”

Tkachuk called it a “pretty cool” moment, and “good for hockey.”

“Both emotional guys, leaders for our teams that really just want to show that we’ll do whatever it takes to win,” he said. “We weren’t going out there to play Patty Cake, we were going out there to have some fun in the fight and try to land some punches.”

Trivia: The Bruins selected David Pastrnak 25th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. That year, the Panthers held the No. 1 pick. Which player did Florida take?

(Answer at the bottom.)

Hint: A Canadian defenseman, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2015.

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics were routed by the Cavaliers 118-94 at home in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday. Game 3 is set to get underway on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in Cleveland with the series now tied 1-1.

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PWHL Boston won its inaugural playoff game 2-1 in overtime against Montreal on Thursday. Game 2 of the best-of-five series will be played in Montreal at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Tonight, the Bruins take on the Panthers in Game 3 of the second-round playoff series at TD Garden at 7 p.m. The series is tied 1-1.

Also tonight, the Red Sox begin a three-game series against the Nationals at Fenway Park at 7:10 p.m.

On Saturday, the Revolution face the New York Red Bulls on the road at 7:30 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Patriots minicamp begins: The Patriots will get a first look at Drake Maye and other rookies on the field when minicamp gets underway this weekend.

Speaking of Patriots rookies, here’s a look at how some of them performed in the rookie combine:

On this day: In 1970, Bobby Orr took the leap, a moment of spontaneous and iconic celebration in the instant that the Bruins defeated the Blues 4-3 in overtime of Game 4 to win the team’s first Stanley Cup in 29 years.

Daily highlight: Pitcher Adrian Sampson went all-out to make a diving out at first base to help Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express win over the Las Vegas Aviators on Thursday.

Trivia answer: Aaron Ekblad

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