Despite being snuffed out in their own building, the Carolina Hurricanes are 7-2-1 in their last 10 and remain a confident team at the end of a long and quiet but consistent campaign that will see them hosting the 2-3 match in the Metropolitan Division against a severe underdog. So it’s not the N.Y. Rangers and everyone else in that division, it’s the Rangers, the Canes and everyone else in that division.
The Bruins, as they have taught us all year, are capable of great conquests when playing their most-desperate brand of hockey, and Coach Jim Montgomery did not hesitate to call this stretch of the season the best that his team has played, especially in terms of hardnosed, playoff-style, big-boy hockey.
The question we’ve had to revisit too many times this season is what happens if the pedal lifts off the metal. The Bruins, despite their excellent record and imminent divisional title, are susceptible to some mediocre hockey when they let up.
Now that the playoff picture is almost completely decided, this has the makings of a let-up game. The Hurricanes, coming off a loss to the Bruins in Raleigh, would only be too happy to capitalize on a lull in the Bruins’ playoff intensity.
If you’re reading this ahead of the NESN telecast, note that Professional Hockey Writers Association Chapter President Joe Haggerty could not be at TD Garden tonight to present the Elizabeth C. Dufresne Trophy to the best Bruins in home games this season as voted by the reporters, so someone had to step in and do it.
A-I image by Daryl Vautour
Rink Rap with Mick Colageo 