The Carolina Hurricanes look to extend their 2-0 series lead over the Bruins as their 1st round bout shifts to Boston tonight. The Canes have taken wins of 5-1 and 5-2 to open this series. Carolina is now 5-0 against Boston this season, and have outscored them by a 26-4 margin. Carolina was dealt a blow in Game 2 as goaltender Antii Raanta left after a collision with David Pastrnak in the first period and is listed as day day day. Rookie Pytor Kochetkov relieved Raanta and stopped 30 of 32 shots en route to the win. He saw limited action in the regular season, appearing in just 3 games (2 starts). He had a 3-0 record with a 2.42 goals against average and a .902 save percentage.
The Canes were a very good road team during the regular season as they went 25-12-6 and averaged 3.46 goals per game and 2.76 goals against. The Bruins are dealing with their own injury concerns as trade deadline acquisition Hampus Lindholm is out. Lindholm suffered a hit at the hands of Andrei Svechnikov, in Game 2, and immediately left the game. Boston will turn to youngster Jeremy Swayman tonight as Linus Ullmurk was less than spectacular in Games 1 and 2. Swayman had a fine season but he struggled at home where he had a record of 23-14-3 with a 2.41 goals against average and a .898 save percentage. Boston had a home record of 26-13-2 and averaged 3.20 goals per game and 2.78 goals against.
Carolina is on a mission this year, they have suffered playoff losses to Boston in 2 of the last 3 years and have dominated the season series. Kochetkov, if he gets the start, looks calm and cool in net. The Bruins look flustered and I don't think moving this series to home will make a difference. I like the Canes to keep the pressure on and take a 3-0 series advantage.
