The Carolina Hurricanes did what they did to the Boston Bruins three times during the regular season by beating them by more than three goals on Monday night. Monday’s Game 1 win brought the total score for the season for these two teams to 21-2 in favor of Carolina. The game looks like a typical Bruins’ loss to the Canes on the scoresheet, but the game had a different feel for much of it.
For a good portion of the game, the Bruins carried play, overcame a loud Carolina crowd, and neutralized the speed of the Hurricanes. But eventually, the Canes would score two late second-period goals, and the Bruins would struggle to finish their chances all night. For things to change in Game 2, the Bruins will need to fix these three aspects of their game.
The Frederic-Coyle-Smith Line
This line has been a factor in the Bruins’ success for much of the second half of the year. Charlie Coyle has been excellent with puck possession, and Craig Smith has a shot-first mentality. Trent Frederic has found a niche with his linemates as well. But Monday night was a tough night for this line. At one point, Boston’s third line was outshot 11-0. For the Bruins to win this series, this group needs to be much, much better.
The Power Play
The power play for Boston struggled mightily for the last fifteen games of the season. At first, the Bruins missed an injured David Pastrnak, but upon his return, both units are still a mess on the man advantage. A true sign of their ineptitude occurred down 3-1 midway through the third period after Hurricanes’ defenseman Brendan Smith took an interference penalty. The ensuing power play for the Bruins did not generate a shot as both units failed to enter the zone with clean possession time and again. The Bruins won’t score on every power play; however, the man advantage can not be a momentum changer in Carolina’s favor. The Bruins will need a power-play goal or two in this series.
Costly Mistakes
Although the Bruins played a decent road playoff game, there were some glaring mistakes that would eventually seal their fate. The most glaring error was a pinch down the wall by defenseman Matt Grzelcyk with the Bruins down 2-1 and looking for the equalizer. Grzelcyk was unable to keep the puck in the zone, and the Canes were able to transition the puck the other way for a two-on-one that resulted in a Teuvo Teravainen insurance goal. Again, momentum-changing errors will be detrimental to the Bruin’s cause.
Fortunately for Boston, this was only Game 1 of a best-of-seven series. Bruce Cassidy mentioned after the game that the Bruins brought effort but just couldn’t finish. Ultimately the Bruins outshot the Canes 36-25. But on Wednesday night in Game 2, the Bruins will need more finish and fewer mistakes if they are to even this series.
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