The Carolina Hurricanes hoped to leap into the playoff picture on MLK Day in Boston. Seven Bruins goals including a Zdeno Chara hat trick later, the ‘Canes were left in pieces.
Chara’s Hat Trick Leads Bruins In Huge 7-0 Win Over Hurricanes
You can’t really blame the Boston Bruins for stomping all over the Carolina Hurricanes today. After all, the two teams play again tomorrow night, and while today’s two points were guaranteed basically after 20 minutes of play, you’re kind of playing for the next night in a lot of ways.
So the Bruins made the Hurricanes pay from start to finish today. They scored often. They got the ‘Canes off their game in terms of discipline. It just wasn’t a pretty day if you’re a Carolina fan. As the Hurricanes fly home today, they’ll be embarrassed with their performance, and they’ll likely dwell on the fact that there’s a chance that same team dismantles them on home ice in just a few hours.
Read Article >Hurricanes Vs. Bruins: Zdeno Chara Chases Cam Ward, Gives Boston 2-0 Lead
The Bruins thought they had a 2-0 lead, but behind the play, Zdeno Chara was guilty of slashing a Hurricanes player. To the box went Chara, and to the power play went Carolina.
The ‘Canes had several chances to make something happen on that power play but Tim Thomas was up to the task, and as Chara came out of the box, he was sprung on an odd man rush. Chara’s shot beat Cam Ward to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead.
Read Article >Hurricanes Vs. Bruins: Mark Stuart’s Point Blast Gives Bruins 1-0 Lead
Welcome back, Mark Stuart. After missing 18 games with a finger injury, Stuart’s blast from the point about 8 minutes into the first period has given the Bruins a 1-0 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes. Nathan Horton shipped the puck back up top to the point where Stuart was free to let a heavy shot rip.
The shot found its way through traffic and the beat goalie Cam Ward. 1-0 Bruins.
Read Article >Hurricanes Vs. Bruins: Carolina Battles For Playoff Position In MLK Day Matinee
Simply put, if the ‘Canes can squeak out wins in each of the games they hold in hand over Washington and Tampa Bay, they’ll be just three points behind the division lead. More importantly, perhaps -- or maybe not since it’s only January -- Carolina will leap division rival Atlanta for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a matinée win today in Boston. Playoff seeding!
That won’t be an easy task, though, as the Bruins have quickly vaulted themselves into the elite group of Eastern contenders. Right there with Pittsburgh, the Capitals and Philadelphia, the Bruins get by with solid goaltending and phenomenal 5-on-5 play. They’re just second in the NHL behind the Flyers in goals for/against ratio at 5-on-5.
Read Article >
