Causeway Gameday 68: Boston Bruins Take On The Carolina Hurricanes

Coming off of a 3-1 loss to Chicago on Sunday, the Boston Bruins will be in Carolina tonight to take on the Hurricanes.  Tonight is the second of a four-game road-trip for the B’s.

The Boston Bruins had a busy week last week, and their hectic month of March continues.  Boston will be playing every other day now for the rest of this month.  After going 3-1 last week, can the B’s keep it rolling tonight in Carolina?

Tonight is the last of three meetings with the Hurricanes.  Boston is 2-0-0 against Carolina so far this season.  One being an OT game on February 27th, the other being a 7-1 slaughter on January 6th.

The Hurricanes come into tonight’s game absolutely desperate for a win.  They trail the New Jersey Devils by seven points for the second wild card spot in the east.  After losing 6-3 to the New York Rangers last night, Carolina will look to rebound tonight.

What to watch for

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• McAvoy, Lucic named to “Historic 100” list over the weekend

Good news for the Bruins!  David Backes has served his three-game suspension and is available to play tonight.  He should take his place back on the third line.  However, to be determined is whether he takes Tommy Wingels‘ spot or Brian Gionta‘s.  Either way, it will be nice to have #42 back on the ice.

Bruins’ stars Patrice Bergeron and Charlie McAvoy remain out, and it’s unclear if Brad Marchand will be back tonight, after sitting out against Chicago on Sunday.  Bergeron did not travel with the team for their four-game road-trip.  That means the earliest we could see Bergy would be next Monday against Columbus.  However, Riley Nash has done a decent job subbing in for Bergeron, with four points in his last four games on the top line.

Tuukka Rask is back between the pipes tonight, after Anton Khudobin played this past Sunday.  Rask played the Hurricanes once this season, in the 4-3 OT win for the B’s.  Rask is on a four-game winning streak, and should be in good position to get the season sweep against the ‘Canes tonight.

Game Info

The Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes face off in Raleigh, North Carolina tonight at 7 pm.  NESN will televise the game locally and the local radio call can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub.  Can the B’s sweep Carolina and keep pace with Tampa Bay for the first seed in the conference?  Tune in tonight to find out.