Series: Bruins lead 2-0
Location: PNC Arena
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET; (NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS)
On Tuesday night, the Carolina Hurricanes will host their first home game of the Eastern Conference Final. In Game 2 the Boston Bruins dominated the Hurricanes 6-2 on Sunday afternoon. The Bruins outscored the Hurricanes 11-4 in the first two games. The Bruins are 4-2 on the road in the road and are on a five-game winning streak.
So far in the playoffs, the Hurricanes are undefeated at home with a 5-0 record. Despite being down 2-0, the Hurricanes are in a familiar situation. In the first round, the Hurricanes trailed the Washington Capitals 2-0 in the first round and bounced back to win the series in seven games.
Home sweet home. @NHLCanes #NHLNow #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/gFoHNhP7T7
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) May 14, 2019
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour refused to say who will start in net tonight in a press conference. “I can’t be the guy who does that. Sorry.” Brind’Amour said. “Do we make a change? We might,” added Brind’Amour. “But that might be for different reasons than you guys think.”
“I can’t be that guy that does that, right? I know who we’re starting, but I guess you’ll have to wait and see. Sorry,” – Rod Brind’Amour keeping Hurricanes goalie for Game 3 to himself. https://t.co/kChLFlmPV4
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) May 14, 2019
Goaltender Petr Mrazek may not get his third straight start after allowing 10 goals on 52 shots (.808 save %) in the last two games. Yesterday in practice Mrazek was in the starters net. But for now, no one will know who will start in the net until warmups.
His backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney may start between the pipes for the first time since May 3, when he led the Hurricanes to complete a four-game sweep against the New York Islanders. His total playoff record is 3-0, with a.947 save percentage and 1.56 GAA.
The Hurricanes were awful breaking out of their defensive zone. In Game 2 they struggled to create a scoring chance. They got to get stronger and faster if they want to put more shots on Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask. During Game 2, the Bruins were leading 6-0 in the third period. The Hurricanes scored two quick goals afterward, but it was too late. Having a strong forecheck and scoring first is the key for success in this year Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In Game 2, Sebastian Aho recorded an assist to extend his point streak to four games, which is the longest by a Hurricanes player this season. Aho and Teuvo Teravainen were involved 16 of the 38 goals this postseason (42.1%). Having those two involved in more can create more scoring for the Canes in Game 3.
Teuvo Teravainen, Warren Foegele and Sebastian Aho enter Tuesday’s contest on a five-game home point streak, tied for the fourth-longest such streak in @nhlcanes postseason history. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Ivo2tG63v0
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 14, 2019
The Bruins domination in these past two games proves they are the top contender for the Stanley Cup title. Their offense, defense, and goaltending have been all around impressive in Games 1 and 2. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk scored twice in Game 2 making him the player of the game.
The last time Matt Grzelcyk had a multi-goal game at TD Garden? Feb. 23, 2015.
The BU captain scored twice — including the game winner in OT — to clinch a Beanpot for the Terriers: pic.twitter.com/qRmrHGmUPm
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 12, 2019
Other players like Marcus Johansson, Charlie Coyle and Charlie McAvoy been stepping up. It shows that the team does not have to depend on the top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak to light up the lamp. The Bruins showed how dangerous they can be with strong depth across their lineup.
The Bruins power-play broke the Canes penalty kill. So far in the series, they are 4/7 in the man advantage. They were perfect 2/2 in Game 2.
“Obviously their power play is clicking really well. If we can take away time and space and make them rush plays, I think that is going to be the key for us.”
— Brett Pesce and Sebastian Aho discuss how @NHLCanes can improve as they host Bruins in Game 3 of East Final. pic.twitter.com/sfTQXWLBZn
— FOX Sports Carolinas (@CanesOnFSCR) May 14, 2019
Charlie McAvoy has been the best defenseman so far in the playoffs. Grzelcyk stepped up when McAvoy was suspended for Game 1. The Bruins defenseman scored four goals in this series. They totaled eight goals in 15 games in the playoffs.
What’s more impressive is how they prevent the Hurricanes defense from scoring. In the last seven games, the Hurricanes defenseman has no goals. In the regular season, they led the NHL with 48 goals. Head coach Bruce Cassidy does a great job figuring out the Hurricanes aggressiveness on offense.
“Their ‘D’ pinch a little more so if you chip it behind them and your ‘D’ is part of the rush you can beat them up ice,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. “That’s typical of how Carolina gets their offense from their ‘D’. So if it’s there, take it.”
When Brind’Amour refused to name the starting goaltender for Game 3 to the media. A journalist asked about Brind’Amour’s approach on not telling who the starting goaltender be, Cassidy fired back saying, “Ours is going to be Rask.”
It’s not a surprise that Rask is starting on the net. He is the top Conn Smythe Trophy candidate for the Bruins. So far in the playoffs, he is 10-5 with.937 save percentage, and 2.02 GAA.
Bruce Cassidy, when told that Rod Brind’Amour wouldn’t reveal his goaltender for Game 3: “Ours is going to be Rask.”
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 14, 2019
Forwards
Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Teuvo Teravainen
Nino Niederreiter — Jordan Staal — Justin Williams
Warren Foegele – Lucas Wallmark — Brock McGinn
Micheal Ferland — Greg McKegg — Saku Maenalanen
Defense
Jaccob Slavin — Dougie Hamilton
Brett Pesce — Justin Faulk
Haydn Fleury — Calvin de Haan
Starting Goalie
Forwards
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk — David Krejci — David Backes
Marcus Johansson — Charlie Coyle — Danton Heinen
Joakim Nordstrom — Sean Kuraly — Chris Wagner
Defense
Zdeno Chara — Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug — Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk — Connor Clifton
Starting Goalie
Tuukka Rask
Featured Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports
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