Bruins vs. Hurricanes Preview
Raleigh, NC (AP) – Although Boston cruised to a lopsided victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the first game of a home-and-home set, the Bruins don’t expect things to come as easily in the rematch.
The Hurricanes look to enact some revenge from their embarrassing defeat when they host Northeast Division-leading Boston on Tuesday night.
According to NHL odds and oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Hurricanes -125 money line favorites for Tuesday’s game against the Bruins. Current NHL Public Betting Information shows that 52% of more than 63 bets for this game have been placed on the Bruins +115.
The Bruins (25-13-7) made quick work of Carolina on Monday afternoon, jumping out a 3-0 first-period lead en route to a 7-0 victory. Zdeno Chara recorded his first career hat trick and Tim Thomas stopped 31 shots for his second shutout in three starts.
Mark Stuart, who returned to the ice after missing 18 games with a broken finger, also scored – as did Gregory Campbell, Patrice Bergeron and Michael Ryder for Boston, 8-2-3 since Dec. 23.
“They got on a roll, felt good about themselves and away they went,” Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said. “It’s important for our team to answer back and show some character.”
Carolina’s sloppy effort was somewhat surprising, considering the Hurricanes (22-17-6) arrived in Boston having notched 23 goals in their previous five games and hadn’t been shut out since Oct. 30. Eric Staal’s season-best eight-game points streak came to an end for Carolina, which lost in regulation for just the second time in 11 games (7-2-2).
“The team we played is a really good team,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “They had an off night. Having an off night happens in this league. … We’ve got to be wary of them coming back really hard (Tuesday).”
Boston, however, is doing a good job of controlling games lately, scoring at least six goals in three of its last four contests.
“This is what we’ve been preaching all year,” Julien said. “We’ve just been getting better at it.”
Bergeron has been leading Boston’s offense, tallying seven goals and four assists in his last six games, while Chara – the fourth defenseman in club history with a hat trick – has six of his 10 goals in the last nine.
Chara’s first goal Monday gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead 11:28 into opening period, chasing Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward after he faced just five shots.
Despite the shaky performance from Ward, Maurice hinted his starter would be back in net for the rematch. Ward, who came into play Monday 5-1-2 with a 2.96 goals-against average in his previous eight starts, made 37 saves in a 3-0 win at Boston on Nov. 26.
Thomas, who stopped 18 shots in that game, leads the NHL with a 1.82 GAA and seven shutouts. The All-Star hasn’t had as much luck lately on the road, however, recording a 2.76 GAA in going 0-0-3 in his last three starts away from Boston.
Tuukka Rask may start for the Bruins in Raleigh. He has allowed a total of three goals while winning back-to-back road starts.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have won three straight home games, and are 4-0-1 at the RBC Center since New Year’s Day.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” said Bergeron, who leads the Bruins with 36 points. “We have to make sure we’re ready. They were doing well before this game, so they’re going to want to bounce back and redeem themselves. We need to make sure we’re ready because it’s tough to play in their building.”
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