Gold: Canes need to be ready for everything in Game 3
Posted May 6, 2022 2:45 p.m. EDT
Updated May 6, 2022 3:06 p.m. EDT
Now, the hard work begins.
It’s cliché, and we’ve already discussed it. The Carolina Hurricanes have only done what they were supposed to do against the Boston Bruins.
The Canes won two home games. Boston could do the same and we’ll be right back in Raleigh on Tuesday night biting our fingernails, rubbing beads or wearing your lucky drawers – anything to keep the PNC Arena mojo pointed in the right direction. The Canes don’t have to win a game at TD Garden this weekend to win the series, but when you have a proud, championship-caliber team in arrears it’s always a good idea to keep them there.
That begins 7 p.m. ET Friday in Boston’s West End.
This has been a pretty contentious series through 120 minutes in spite of the 10-3 aggregate score. Game 1 was anyone’s to grab. Scoreless through 36:00 with each side having had plenty of chances to dent the scoreboard. Seth Jarvis’ tip in of a Jaccob Slavin point drive got Carolina moving and 1:50 later it was Nino Niederreiter doubling the lead.
However, it was still a 2-1 game just a few minutes into the third period and Carolina couldn’t coast to the finish line. There was hard work to be done.
A similar situation played out Wednesday night in Game 2. The Bruins got off to a great start, with plenty of scoring opportunities in the opening handful of shifts. But, like Game 1, the B’s couldn’t connect. Well, that’s not entirely true. David Pastrnak connected with the mask of Carolina goalie Antti Raanta, knocking him from the game, negating a Bruins power play and forcing Rod Brind’Amour to give the keys to rookie goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov.
30 saves and almost as many post-whistle scrums later, the Hurricanes were 5-2 winners and up 2-0 in the series.
However, if you thought that Game 2 was physical….
Friday night might necessitate a visit from Michael Buffer. Maybe the Hurricanes can find Evander Holyfield – that huge caniac – and bring him to Boston. The Bruins are a desperate hockey club. Staring at their postseason mortality, knowing that the other team is just better than they are, and armed with the understanding that they need to exact a physical toll on the Hurricanes.
That is really Boston’s only path to victory.
The Canes have been quicker to pucks, smarter in their own end, way better in the neutral zone, dominant in the face-off circle and every bit as physical as their counterparts. But, Carolina has added in an opportunistic goal-scoring touch, with 7 different players dotting the scoresheet. Oh, and they’ve also gotten wins from two goaltenders NOT named Frederik Andersen.
Raanta starred in Game 1 with 35 saves. Then, after being forced from the game thanks to that Pastrnak “love tap” across the lower part of the mask, it was time to give way for the 22-year old kid from Russia. Kochetkov not only answered the call, but he was willing to stand up to one of the games’ greatest all-time agitators in Brad Marchand.
More than a Game 2 win, Kochetkov has given his head coach options. If Raanta is healthy enough to man the crease in Game 3, Brind'Amour could easily go that direction. I mean, he’s got a .976 save percentage through nearly 68 minutes against the Bruins. But, the precocious rookie hasn’t been bad either, saving 30 of 32 shots, including a late thirdperiod flurry before Nino Niederreiter’s empty net closing argument.
Note: It will be Kochetkov in net. Raanta will back up. Jack LaFontaine will be the EBUG.
Brace yourselves, because Friday night is bound to be one of those games. And, if the Bruins fall behind, Wednesday is likely going to feel like a middle school dance in comparison.
Playoff Leaders
Points: Tony DeAngelo, 4; Nino Niederreiter, Sebastian Aho, Vincent Trocheck and Jaccob Slavin, 3.
Goals: Niederreiter, 3; Aho 2.
Assists: DeAngelo, 4; Slavin, 3; Trocheck, 2.
Hurricanes are 2 for 12 (16.7%) on the power play in this series. Boston is 1 out of 8 (12.5%). Carolina has also won the faceoff battles both nights and has a 56%-44% edge in the circle.
Line ‘em up…
Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis
Domi-Trocheck-Teravainen
Niederreiter-Staal-Fast
Martinook-Kotkaniemi-Necas
Slavin-DeAngelo
Skjei-Pesce
Smith-Cole
Kochetkov
Wanna bet…?
ML: Boston -130/Carolina +110. O/U: 5.5 goals.
Coverage of Game 3 begins at 6 p.m. on 99.9 the Fan with Storm Watch starring Dennis Cox. The game follows just after 7 p.m. with Mike Maniscalco and Shane Willis. Don’t forget to follow the Canes Corner Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. A new episode drops the #MorningAfter every Hurricanes game.
