Matthew Tkachuk, David Pastrnak engage in fisticuffs in Game 2 - ESPN

Boston and Florida turned up the heat in Game 2 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series on Wednesday with a heavyweight bout between stars Matthew Tkachuk and David Pastrnak.

The visiting Bruins — who entered with a 1-0 series lead after topping Florida in Game 1 — were trailing 6-1 with just over seven minutes remaining in the third period when top winger Pastrnak and Panthers' forward Tkachuk dropped the gloves in an uncharacteristic fight that Pastrnak was ready to accept when Tkachuk agreed to the challenge.

«I'm not afraid of him, to be honest,» Pastrnak said. «I can take a punch.»

The fisticuffs actually appeared to be approved by Bruins coach Jim Montgomery. Cameras showed Montgomery seemingly giving Pastrnak the nod to mix it up with Tkachuk shortly before the two went after one another.

Montgomery denied he offered explicit permission, but he wasn't upset over Pastrnak getting physical in the Bruins' eventual 6-1 loss that tied the series as it moves to Boston for Game 3 on Friday.

«I'm really proud of Pasta,» Montgomery said. «He just went out there and fought. You like your hockey players to be competitors.»

What Montgomery didn't appreciate was the added hits he thought Tkachuk got in as Pastrnak went to the ice.

«That's not part of the game to me,» Montgomery said.

For his part, Florida coach Paul Maurice felt the scrap was a positive.

«I thought it was awesome,» Maurice said.

Both Tkachuk and Pastrnak received penalties for fighting and a game misconduct. But, as Pastrnak blatantly admitted after the final whistle, «the game was over.»

It was a difficult night all around for Boston, which sustained its most lopsided loss of the postseason. The Bruins started well, with Charlie Coyle offering them a