Series: Bruins lead 3-0
Location: PNC Arena
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET; (NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS)
Overview:
Tonight the Boston Bruins will attempt to sweep the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. If they win Game 4 at PNC Arena, it will be the third Stanley Cup Final appearance in nine seasons. If they clinch the Stanley Cup Final, they will join the Chicago Blackhawks as the only team in this decade to reach the Stanley Cup Final three times. The Bruins last Stanley Cup Final was in 2013 when they lost in six games against the Blackhawks.
The @NHLBruins can advance to the #StanleyCup Final for the 20th time in franchise history and third in the last eight years (2011 and 2013).
Full schedule: https://t.co/mDIwFIHjNC
More #NHLStats: https://t.co/9GYWTcGpKx pic.twitter.com/v6xZtzDGaU— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 16, 2019
Rask and the Bruins Defense
Right now the Bruins are on a six-game winning streak. A big part of the winning streak is goaltender Tuukka Rask. In the last six games, Rask had a 1.50 goals-against average and.956 save percentage. The Bruins defense is making Rask’s job easier by clearing the traffic in front of the net. Carolina’s offense is having trouble creating chances throughout the series because of Bruce Cassidy’s defensive tactics.
Tuukka Rask is the first @NHLBruins goaltender to make 20+ saves in a postseason period since Tim Thomas during the final frame in Game 2 of the 2011 Conference Semifinals (22). #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/bwYtS3MQpf
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 15, 2019
Starting Strong
PNC Arena has been a tough place to play for away teams. The Bruins broke their undefeated home record by winning 2-1 in Game 3. The Hurricanes started strong in the first period shooting 20 shots on Rask. Rask had to face the Hurricanes power-play four times in the first period. Luckily Boston got out of the first period with a 0-0 score. Expect the Hurricanes to have a strong first period.
“Well oiled machine.” @jimfox19 on the @NHLBruins
Can the @NHLCanes stop this machine in its tracks and force Game 5? #StanleyCup @BJaffe pic.twitter.com/hP70kz5hvt
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) May 16, 2019
Can The Hurricanes Force Game 5?
The Hurricanes will try to force Game 5 at TD Garden tonight. The last time the Hurricanes got swept was the 2009 Eastern Conference Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour announced that he will “probably” start goaltender Curtis McElhinney for Game 4. In Game 3, McElhinney stopped 29 out of 31 shots.
“We know it will take the same effort plus something else”
📽️ https://t.co/jRC8iPHhCd pic.twitter.com/sutNITX2YS
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) May 15, 2019
Hurricanes Special Teams
The Bruins have been all over the Hurricanes power play being a 5-for-12 power play in this series. The Hurricanes are 1-for-12 in the power-play. Sebastian Aho’s power-play goal in Game 1 was their last and only goal in the series. They did not score in the man advantage when they had four power-play opportunities in the first period of Game 3.
The Bruins are now 5-12 (42%) in this series and 15-47 (32%) in the postseason on the power play. The Hurricanes are just 1-12 (8%) this series and 5-50 (10%) in the postseason.
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) May 15, 2019
Hurricanes Offense
The offense is having trouble breaking Tuukka Rask and the Bruins defenseman. The offense struggles to break it out of their own zone and transition to offense. Forward Sebastian Aho is on a five-game points streak (3 goals, 4 assists). Overall, the team had a better showing in Game 3 but did not win at home. Tonight could be the last game of their memorable season. They surprised a lot of spectators being a wild-card team reaching to the Eastern Conference Final.
“They need some of their big horses, their top 6 guys that play an awful lot to come through for them in this game.” @BJaffe on the #Canes. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/YPrdxQrIsr
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) May 16, 2019
Hurricanes projected lineup
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
Curtis McElhinney
Bruins projected lineup
Forwards
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk — David Krejci — David Backes
Marcus Johansson — Charlie Coyle — Danton Heinen
Joakim Nordstrom — Sean Kuraly — Noel Acciari
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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