November 18, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Boston Bruins forward Gregory Campbell (11) knocks the puck away from the Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Justin Faulk (27) during the 3rd period at PNC Center. The Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Once again the Boston Bruins are appearing in yet another back-to-back game. Following their overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators at home yesterday, the Bruins packed up their gear and headed South to North Carolina to take on the Hurricanes. Today’s matinee game marks the second meeting of the season between these two teams, the Bruins taking the first game on November 15, 2-1. Both teams will be looking for a much needed win as neither team can figure out how to put together consecutive wins. However, the Carolina Hurricanes have the upper hand over the Bruins, holding an undefeated record to begin the 2015 calendar year.
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While the Hurricanes will look to keep their undefeated streak alive, the Boston Bruins will try to dig deep to pull out the extra effort they need to earn a victory. They have been able to earn points in their last two games, despite being defeated, but are lacking what it takes to win and today’s opponent won’t make it easy. The Hurricanes have been outstanding with their penalty killing unit, not allowing a power play goal in their last six games, killing off 19 consecutive penalties. They are currently ranked 6th in the NHL with an 85.7% rate.
While the Bruins have the components to make it to the playoffs, they need to start acting like it. I read an analogy from CSNNE writer Joe Haggerty that depicted the Bruins perfectly. In his article about the Bruins overtime crumble to the Sens yesterday he mentioned how they looked like Eastern Conference pretenders hoping for greatness to fall in their laps.
Go Joe Bruin
In order to make a difference and turn things around they need to start taking more shots on net, getting the rebounds, winning the board battles and Tuukka Rask (or Niklas Svedberg) has to be playing at his absolute best. With the amount of soft goals being allowed by one of the highest-paid goaltenders in the League and goals during the closing minutes of periods, the netminder’s focus seems to be elsewhere..at home with a newborn perhaps? Nonetheless, the Bruins need complete concentration from all 23 members if they seriously intend on making a push for a playoff spot.
On the Radar:
Eric Staal has scored a goal in each of his last three games, and he has a four-game point streak with 3 goals and an assist since December 27. Heading into today’s game he is a single point shy of 300-career points. His brother, Jordan Staal, has assists in each of his games since returning from injury.
Between the pipes it has not been determined who the Hurricanes will opt to start, though it is likely that Niklas Svedberg will get the nod for the Bruins this afternoon.