First Round, Game 7: Hurricanes v. Boston Bruins (Series Tied 3-3)

It took until I started writing this introduction that this could be the end of the Canes' season. When the final buzzer sounds today, the amazing season that the Canes had could be cut short in the first round by the Boston Bruins. Everything that had been built up could crumble in Game 7, two of the most exciting words in the English language. While it could be the end, the Canes could decide that Game 6 doesn't mean anything and deliver a series win with a huge performance in front of the Caniacs at PNC Arena. They could react the same way they did in Game 5 after losing Games 3 and 4 in Boston by laying into the Bruins for 60 minutes to move on to the second round. The Bruins returned the favor in Game 6 as things went back to Boston for the final time in the series. The Bruins scored twice in the second period, then added three goals in the third period to force a seventh game with a 5-2 victory. Andrei Svechnikov scored both goals for the Canes, but it never felt like they were going to be coming back after digging a decent hole. Steven Lorentz will make his series debut today in place of Derek Stepan with Antti Raanta getting the call to try and bring things home for the Canes. Jeremy Swayman will go again for the Bruins, starting his fifth-straight game in the series. PNC Arena hasn't seen a Game 7 since that one amazing night in 2006 where the Canes beat the Oilers to win the game's ultimate prize. They've played in three Game 7s since then, all on the road, including one in Boston in 2009, and they've won each of them. Nothing is given today, which means it needs to be a perfect performance tonight. Stay out of the box, limit the impact of Boston's big stars like they did in the other three games in Raleigh, and leave nothing on the ice. If they win today, that's great. If they lose, I'll live. It's time to exercise the demons and move past Boston. 

1st Period

Scoring

(CAR) 18:36- Teuvo Teravainen (2) & (assisted by Max Domi (3) & Jaccob Slavin (5))

Thoughts

This is the way the Canes needed to start this game. They withstood the early push from the Bruins, including an amazing stop by Antti Raanta on a 3-on-1 with his pads, got to their game, then put home the first goal late in the period to enter the intermission with the lead. The whistles were blown quite a few times throughout the period. Sending Trocheck to the box after DeAngelo drew the penalty was soft because he hardly did anything. There was another four-on-four later in the period and I'd argue Hall could've been called for embellishing for his masterful job of making sure the referees saw Pesce's stick had come up. The first goal came at even strength and began with a perfect outlet pass. It got around the net before Slavin moved it to Domi before the puck found its way to Teuvo Teravainen for a tap-in to get the Caniacs jumping. The Canes' power play looked good despite not scoring and they'll have plenty of time with Hall in the box for a double-minor. Another early goal or two on the power play would be a huge boost for this team as they try to put Boston away. 

2nd Period

Scoring

(CAR) 3:14- Max Domi (1) (assisted by Jordan Staal (3) & Brady Skjei (1))

(BOS) 5:04- Jake DeBrusk (2) (assisted by Charlie McAvoy (4) & Patrice Bergeron (4))

(CAR) 10:33- Max Domi (2) (assisted by Teuvo Teravainen (5) & Jaccob Slavin (6))

Thoughts

Max Domi is starting to write himself in Hurricanes' lore with his performance in this game. He set up the opening goal in the first period and decided he wanted to get into the fun by scoring himself. He made an extremely skilled play to pull the puck from below the goal line to his forehand and deposit it into the net to give the Canes' a 2-0 lead after the power play couldn't extend the lead. Boston found an answer in the form of Jake DeBrusk as he sniped one high on Raanta's glove side to half the lead. The Bruins were inches away from tying the game as Frederic rang the post. The Canes took the puck back immediately after and Domi buried another goal, this time from the slot to restore the two-goal lead. There are 20 minutes left in this game and the Canes hold a two-goal lead. The end is in sight, but that doesn't mean they need to change their game. They've done a great job of not taking undisciplined penalties to this point, but Boston is down so they're going to be looking to get under the Canes' skin. They can't let Boston throw them off because they'll find a way to work themselves back into this game if the Canes start to make mistakes. 

3rd Period

Scoring

(BOS) 19:38- David Pastrnak (3) (assisted by Charlie McAvoy (6) & Taylor Hall (2))

Thoughts

The late goal from Pastrnak aside, the Canes went all out to make sure the home fans would have more hockey to watch. They put their bodies on the line and they shut down the Bruins' top stars to gut out a huge win to advance to the second round. I can't begin to describe just how impressive this third period was. They allowed the only goal of the period with just over 20 seconds left and withstood the final push, but there was no give in this team in front of their goalie. The Bruins felt like they were in control of the period for the most part, but they couldn't get the two goals they needed. This is a special team and they exercised their demons after the final buzzer sounded. 

Canes' Three Stars of the Game

Third Star- Jaccob Slavin (2 Assists)

He's my third star today, but he might be my first star for the series. His defensive acumen is never going to be in question, but he seems to find a new gear in the postseason offensively. He gets credit for two more assists today, playing huge parts in both goals. Add his excellent defense, his plays on Marchand being the most noticeable, and he helped get the job done. 

Second Star- Antti Raanta (27 Saves on 29 Shots)

Father Finn was thrown into this series with Andersen going down late in the regular season and very limited postseason experience. He turned in excellent performances this entire series, but especially in Games 5 and 7 in Raleigh. He fed off the home crowd and it was very clear at the end of this one how much this meant to him. I say we give him the net to open the second round and see where things go.

First Star- Max Domi (2 Goals, Assist)

With today's performance, Domi has written himself into some great company in Hurricanes history. He contributed to all three goals, scoring two of them, after only having two assists in the first six games. It takes everyone to win a game like this and he stepped up in a big spot. He might not be as flashy as the other deadline acquisitions, but he fits an important role and he thrived in it today.

Final Thoughts

The opponent hasn't been determined yet, so I'm not sure what to expect. Obviously, it's going to be a great team that they've played several times this season. For now, celebrate the heck out of this series win because it was a long time coming. Boston had been a thorn in the Canes' side for years and it was nice to come out on the good end of this series for once. The depth of this team was the biggest difference in this game and proved to be the reason the Canes moved on. They move to 6-0 in Game 7s since relocation, tying the record for the longest winning streak in winner-take-all games. I'm not quite sure what else to say about this one because it was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. They'll have a couple of days to regroup before getting right back to it against either the Rangers or Penguins. This team is special and they proved it even more tonight.