Did you really think that it would be easy to get past Carolina this postseason after Boston breezed by them last year in the Eastern Conference Finals? Bruins superstar David Pastrnak-who tied for the NHL lead in goals during the regular season with Alex Ovechkin-was a surprise scratch (unfit to play) announced shortly before Game 2 and the Hurricanes played well enough to earn a 3-2 victory behind a game-winning goal in the third period by former B's defenseman Dougie Hamilton. The series is even now 1-1 with Game 3 coming up bright and early on Saturday afternoon (12, NBC).
Tuukka Rask (23 saves) started on back-to-back days since Game 1 was yesterday morning/afternoon. Boston did switch some things up: Anders Bjork started in Pastrnak's spot on the right wing of the top line and Karson Kuhlman slotted into the lineup as well on the third line at right wing. Predictably, neither had much of an impact despite Bjork having a great scoring chance early in the opening frame. The B's also took a 1-0 lead for the first time in the bubble (5 games) and their power play scored on their first two chances and yet it still wasn't enough to grab a 2-0 series lead.
The Hurricanes weren't afraid to make a move themselves as backup goaltender James Reimer (33 saves) got the start instead of Game 1's starter Petr Mrazek. Going back to the epic 2013 Game 7 win by the B's/choke job by the Maple Leafs, we all certainly are aware of Reimer's checkered history. Give him credit though, at least for one night he outplayed Mrazek (or maybe just had better luck since he also gave up a ton of rebounds). Playoff David Krejci is in full effect as he gave the Black and Gold a 1-0 advantage at 15:41 of the first period. On the power play, he whipped a wrist shot from distance and through some traffic for his second goal in as many games-assisted by Brad Marchand and Torey Krug.
Boston was up 1-0 after the first period but they got blitzed by Carolina in the second period, specifically from their best forwards. Teuvo Teravainen tied it with a power play tally of his own at 15:13 of the second period. He sniped a shot over Rask's right shoulder, assisted by Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho (who has a 5-game point and assist streak). Before the Bruins had much time to recover, they trailed 2-1 as Svechnikov took a pass from Martin Necas and also beat Rask up high at 16:41. UNH's Trevor van Riemsdyk had the second assist on Andrei's fourth goal of the postseason. You could feel those goals coming for the Canes as they constantly hemmed Boston in their own zone even when it was 5-on-5. Down only 2-1 after two periods wouldn't be so bad for the B's yet somehow they found a way to tie it with 4.4 seconds left in the frame. Marchand did the honors as Patrice Bergeron found him with a pass right on the doorstep that first hit the post but then Brad was able to sweep the loose puck into the net. His first goal of the postseason was also assisted by Krejci.
Almost halfway through the final period of regulation and knotted at two goals apiece, it felt like Game 2 might follow the same script for Game 1 and head to overtime but Hamilton had another idea. He was left wide open by the slow to react Bruins defense and he absolutely crushed a rocket of a shot that Rask had no chance to stop (also top shelf) at 8:30. Necas had the lone assist on Hamilton's first goal of the postseason and likely one of the biggest of his entire life.
There really is no point in trying to (incorrectly) predict what will happen in Game 3 since playing in the bubble with no home fans or travel means this will be a postseason unlike any that we've ever seen before in the NHL. The Bruins fell to 32-22 in Game 2s of best-of-seven series in which they led 1-0 while the Hurricanes improved to 6-8 in Game 2s when they trailed 0-1. Boston is 21-21 in Game 3s when the series is tied 1-1 while Carolina is 4-6 in Game 3s when the series is tied 1-1. Finally, the B's are 24-17 all-time in best-of-7 series that are tied 1-1 and the Canes are 5-5 in the same scenario. What does it all mean? You got me, we'll all have to tune in on Saturday to find out. Oh and also think good thoughts for whatever is ailing Pastrnak (we know at least it's not Covid-19 since he was at tonight's contest in the stands). Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy called him "day-to-day and questionable" for Game 3. Odds are it'll be another tight contest but at least it's the weekend so drinking that early in the day is a little less sad.
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