Gold: Streaking Canes meet Bruins at home
Posted October 28, 2021 4:41 p.m. EDT
Updated October 28, 2021 4:58 p.m. EDT
The last time the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes saw each other it was in an empty building in Toronto. The Canes had just swept the Rangers in the qualifying round of the 2020 Bubble Hockey tournament while Boston went from the best record in the east before the pause to the worst record of the top four teams in the exhibitions.
Those two occurrences, coupled with the Penguins surprising loss to the Canadiens, left Boston and Carolina alone in the ring for the second straight year.
In 2019, Carolina’s surprising playoff run through Washington and the Islanders came to a screeching halt in a 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Bruins. Some 15 months later, the Canes were better, but not quite there yet and succumbed to the B’s in five games. Either way, whether through postseason meetings or the fact that Carolina masqueraded as the Whalers against Boston -- twice -- in the 2018-19 season, this match up has a bit of a rivalry feel to it.
Sure, there’s no Zdeno Chara or David Krejci or Tukka Rask for Boston. But, there’s also no Justin Williams or Dougie Hamilton or Petr Mrazek, either. Yet, the core remains for each.
Boston still boasts the “perfection line” of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Patrnak. Charlie McAvoy has stepped into a featured role on the blue line. And, Bruce Cassidy is one of the top coaches in the NHL.
The Canes have more of the original cast than do the Bruins, but they will introduce Frederik Andersen, Tony DeAngelo and Ethan Bear to this series. For Freddie, who has been A+ good through five starts, he’s no stranger to the Bruins. This will be his 16th career start against Boston and all he’s done in the previous 15 is post a 12-3-0 mark with a .926 SV%.
Sebastian Aho, already off to a strong start with 4 goals in his first five games this year, has had success against the Bruins. In 10 games, Aho has 8 goals and a dozen points. Linemate Teuvo Teravainen has also had success. Turbo’s posted 12 points (5g, 7a) in 13 games against Boston.
As for the guys on the other side, Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak have been as advertised. Combining for 32 goals and 68 points against the Hurricanes.
The B’s are 3-2-0 on the year, coming off of a 4-1 loss in Florida last night. The Hurricanes are off to a franchise best 5-0-0 start with their latest result a 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Monday.
Storm Watch starring Alec Campbell rolls at 6:30, then the action begins just after 7:00 with Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy on the call on 99.9 the Fan. Don’t forget to follow the Canes Corner Podcast (wherever you get your podcasts). There’s a new episode following every Hurricanes game.
