First Round, Game 5: Hurricanes v. Boston Bruins (Series Tied 2-2)

Things are starting to get serious now after Boston dominated both of their home games in Game 3 and 4. It is now a best of three with the series even and the Canes really need this game tonight as the teams return to Raleigh. Things were close in Game 4 through two periods, with Brett Pesce and Jordan Staal alternating goals with Patrice Bergeron and Jake DeBrusk in the first 40 minutes. The difference was the Canes' inability to stay out of the penalty box, especially at the end of the second period. Boston started the third period with a 5-on-3 and they scored almost immediately to take the lead and they'd never look back. Brad Marchand was the star of the show, scoring twice and adding three assists to factor on all five of Boston's goals in the 5-2 win. It's the third time in the series the winner has made it to five goals and they've all been multi-goal victories. The Canes will be going with the exact same lineup for tonight's game with Antti Raanta starting in the net. Boston will still be without Hampus Lindholm, but Charlie McAvoy has cleared COVID protocol and will be back in the lineup tonight. Jeremy Swayman is going to get his third straight start after winning his last two. The winner of tonight's game will be in the driver's seat for this series because it'll only take one more win to get the job done. Boston has all the momentum on their side, but I'm not sure how much of that was being back at home for the last two games. I'm anxious for this game because I don't like the thought of the Canes going back to Boston in a "win or you're done" game. This is where home ice is going to need to be a huge advantage. 

1st Period

Scoring

(CAR) 6:11- Jaccob Slavin (2) (assisted by Tony DeAngelo (6) & Sebastian Aho (2))

(CAR) 12:17- Tony DeAngelo (1) PP (assisted by Teuvo Teravainen (2) & Vincent Trocheck (3))

Thoughts

This was the period we didn't get from the Canes in the two games in Boston. It read similarly to Games 1 and 2. Boston had some good chances in the first five minutes and held onto the puck early. However, the Canes started early as well and got one to leak through Jeremy Swayman courtesy of Jaccob Slavin. Some would say it's a weak goal, but I don't care. Antti Raanta had to make a huge save on Brad Marchand to keep it 1-0 almost immediately after the goal. The Canes also worked to get the first two power plays of the game with Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov switching units. While the first attempt didn't yield much, the second certainly did. Jarvis rang a clapper off the post, then Tony DeAngelo unleashed a bomb from the point and Swayman had no chance to stop it. If not for some huge saves by Swayman late, this game could've gotten out of hand going into the intermission. Both Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal had excellent chances that were shrugged off. There is far too much of this game remaining for me to feel even the slightest bit comfortable. Svechnikov seems a bit off tonight, overskating some pucks and not being able to handle it cleanly. I've liked everyone else for the most part. The Canes just need to remain disciplined and not give Boston chances to get back into it.

2nd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 15:52- Seth Jarvis (2) (assisted by Sebastian Aho (3) & Teuvo Teravainen (3))

Thoughts

It wasn't flashy by any means, but the Canes are heading into the third period with a three-goal lead and tons of momentum. They played a disciplined, defensive period, and even when Boston got chances, Antti Raanta stood on his head and made the save. His best of the period was during the Canes' only kill thus far on a Pastrnak one-timer that he had to get over on to stop. The Canes scored shortly after their power play ended and it was a weird one. Seth Jarvis swings at the puck while on his stomach, it hits a couple Bruins' defensemen, and it finds its way over Swayman's shoulder. Swayman played a good period as well, stopping a few more Grade A chances from the Canes. The physicality has been underplayed tonight, but it ramped up a little in the period. Jesper Fast laid a nice hit on McAvoy and Marchand tried to destroy Jarvis and he missed badly. The end is in their sights, they just need another strong defensive period with another goal or two before heading back to Boston. I have faith in these men to get the job done. 

3rd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 3:31- Seth Jarvis (3) PP (assisted by Vincent Trocheck (4) & Tony DeAngelo (7))

(BOS) 10:09- Connor Clifton (1) (assisted by Erik Haula (2) & Taylor Hall (1))

(CAR) 16:20- Vincent Trocheck (3) EN (assisted by Martin Necas (2) & Teuvo Teravainen (4)) 

Thoughts

After failing to play their game in the third period in Boston, the Canes returned to form with this performance in the final period. Boston scored a goal to end the shutout bid of Antti Raanta, but it was sandwiched between two goals from the Canes as they made it to five goals for the third time at home in this series. Seth Jarvis worked hard to net the second power play goal of the night for the Canes and Vincent Trocheck finished it with the empty-net goal to send the Canes back up north for Game 6 in Boston. The penalty kill came up huge when they needed it to and made sure Boston didn't get any more momentum after their goal. To be able to play with the series lead on the road allows the Canes a little more breathing room, but they need to capitalize on this chance and not allow Boston to send this back to Raleigh. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Tony DeAngelo (Goal, 2 Assists)

After how he played and acted in Game 4, DeAngelo needed a huge game tonight to make up for it. He established early in the first period that things would be different in Game 5. He assisted on Slavin's game-opening goal, then blasted a shot on the power play to open with two points in 20 minutes. Add an assist on the Jarvis power play goal in the third and it would be another huge offensive night. 

Second Star- Antti Raanta (34 Saves on 35 Shots)

Game 4 wasn't easy for Raanta, as it was for the entire team. Everyone knew he would be in the net tonight and he looked even better than he did in Game 1. It stinks he couldn't get the shutout, but I'll take this too. He had period-defining saves in all three periods. The save on Marchand in the first period to keep it 1-0 was the biggest of the game. He was a rock tonight and he'll look to follow that up in Boston on Thursday. 

First Star- Seth Jarvis (2 Goals)

This rookie is not phased by the moment at all. He scored two goals in close by working hard for the puck and getting a little lucky in the process. I have no clue how his first goal went in, but ours is not to reason why it did. His second goal was the dagger to make it 4-0 and get the power play their second of the night. He might need to stay on the top unit a little bit longer. 

Final Thoughts

Tonight proved why home-ice advantage is so important. All five games have been won by the home team and all five wins have been dominant. The Canes' early start in this one helped put everyone at ease and they remained consistent for 60 minutes to grab the series lead again. It's not like the Perfection Line of Boston was quiet tonight either. They combined for 14 of the team's 35 shots, but Antti Raanta was not having it tonight. DeAngelo and Trocheck each had three points and were involved in all the action, but Teuvo Teravainen had a quiet three-assist night. You have to appreciate just how well the team played tonight to make the games in Boston feel like a distant memory. This series is following a similar, albeit more wide-open, script as last season's series with Nashville. While that series featured four overtime games, the home team won each of the first five games then as well. The Canes would go on to win Game 6 in Nashville. I have all the confidence in the world that the Canes can win a Game 7 if things come back to Raleigh. I think it would be better for the health of this fanbase if they'd go ahead and end things in Boston. It has less to do with sticking it to Boston than it does not tempting fate. Let's get the job done Thursday night.