The Bruins battled back from a 3-1 series deficit to force a Game 7 against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Boston. The B's seem to have the edge in this game with all the momentum and the hometown crowd on their side, but this is Game 7 and anything can happen. Just ask the Washington Capitals.
Projected Starting Goaltenders:
Projected Lines
Many are speculating that Paul Maurice will go with Kaberle over Babchuk, but he is not releasing his lineup until game time.
''We have adjustments we may make to our lineup. That we'll release at the appropriate time.''
- Carolina Head Coach Paul Maurice
Injury Report
Boston
LW Marco Sturm: Out for Season (knee)
C Marc Savard: Probable (knee)
D Matt Hunwick: Out for Series (spleen)
D Andrew Ference: Out (lower body injury)
Carolina
No Injuries to Report
Notes:
- Marc Savard skated with the team this morning and is expected to be in unifrom tonight.
- Besides Game 3, the team that scores first has won every game this series.The B's need to jump out to an early lead and put this one away early like they did in Game 6.
- I noticed in Game 6 that the Bruins forwards are doing a better job of utilizing their speed. Several times the Bruins were able to win foot races and carry the puck in deep, drawing a Carolina defender and finding the open man in the slot.
- This has been a weird 7 game series because none of the games have been close. Sure, the B's lost in overtime in Game 3, but they were clearly outplayed by the Canes in that game.
- The "rowdiest fans in hockey" didn't sound so loud filing out of the RBC Center on Tuesday night. Careful B's fans, cutting off a funeral procession is a ticketable offense.
- I just want to say that the Hurricanes fans that have stopped by here for this series have been great (for the most part). Sure, I took a few shots at the "goobers" from Mayberry (actually, I was more clever than that), but most of the Caniacs got my tongue in cheek humor and were able to roll with the punches. Some of you were even able to see past all the spin being spewed out by the North Carolina media outlets.
- For everyone that says that the Bruins lack playoff experience, Stephane Yelle disagrees. Yelle has played in more Game 7's than any active player in the National Hockey League and is tied for 2nd all-time in most Game 7 appearances in NHL history. This will be his 12th game 7.
- Game starts at 8:00 tonight and will air on NESN in New England.
- Public Skate (open thread) starts at 7:00. I'll try to bring my "A" game to make up for missing last game's public skate.
- Ever since I started posting Fatty and "Nutty", the Bruins are undefeated. I'm not saying that this is the sole reason for the Bruins' success, but I'm not saying it doesn't factor. Take it away Fat Geno:
Eyes on the Storms
Canes Country (SBN): Bubba and Cory do some great work over there. Their daily Hurricanes Newsstand will point you in the right direction for news and stories on this series from both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Canes Now: The News & Observer's Hurricanes blog (think Boston.com's Bruins Blog).
Tracking the Storm: Blog from Carolina Hurricanes official website. Think of it as Carolina's version of Bish's Blog.
Series Recap:
Series tied 3-3
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
Game 6