Live-Blog: Boston Bruins At Carolina Hurricanes

November 18, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Boston Bruins forward

(11) knocks the puck away from the Carolina Hurricanes defensemen

(27) during the 3rd period at PNC Center. The Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

First Period

“How’s the entertainment factor? Tonight, it’s in the single digits and it’s not on a 1-10 scale.” -Jack Edwards on the Bruins first period.

Zdeno Chara got the ball rolling early for the Bruins as he put them on the penalty kill just 1:32 into the game with a hooking call after Jeff Skinner cleanly beat him. To try and get some momentum going in the Boston Bruins favor Gregory Campbell decided to drop the gloves with Brad Malone. After a couple of rounds, Brad Malone got some extra jabs on the Merlot man and was able to drop him to the ice.  While Campbell may not have won the fight, the message was clear, being outshot 7-0 through 8:00 of play is unacceptable and a measly start for the Black and Gold.

Through the first fourteen minutes of play Tuukka Rask kept the game scoreless. He had to make a series of stops early on in the opening minutes of the frame and kept up the pace through the duration of the opening twenty.  The Boston Bruins looked disheveled, dazed and confused like a bunch of rookies appearing in their first professional game, definitely not the way they should be playing against one of the worst teams in the League.

16:55 the Boston Bruins were finally able to register a shot on goal.  David Krejci and Reilly Smith teamed up for a 2-on-1 opportunity thanks to Torey Krug playing some solid defense. As a result, the crowd cheers sarcastically as they should. Prior to the shot Brad Marchand was taking shifts alongside Craig Cunningham and Gregory Campbell.

Once again in the final minute Carolina was able to break Rask down as Patrick Dwyer got the net front presence with McQuaid being without a stick and put the Canes up 1-0.

First Period Summary:

The Boston Bruins were able to get their ‘stuff’ together for the final three minutes of the period and able to generate a total of 4 shots and 2 scoring chances, but they still played sloppy. In the defensive zone the Bruins left wide open space, as McQuaid tried to clear the puck to Lucic he missed the pass and allowed Carolina to be all over Rask. While Rask made the initial save, he gave up a soft rebound (yet again) resulting in the 1-0 Carolina lead. The Bruins will start the second period on the power play and need to be better in all areas.

Next: Second Period: Bruins At Hurricanes