2024-25 Regular Season, Game 9 Preview: Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins

After a long journey away from home, the Carolina Hurricanes are finally back in Raleigh to host instead of being hosted. The final stop on their six-game road trip took them to Vancouver to face the red-hot Canucks. The pace was frantic to begin the night, with William Carrier and Brock Boeser scoring in the first eight minutes. An overturned challenge in the Canes' favor helped them settle the pace down, allowing them to grab the lead late in the first period on a Martin Necas breakaway. Jack Roslovic extended the lead early in the second period, but the Canucks fought back, adding two goals in the third period to tie the game and force overtime. Sebastian Aho needed 47 seconds to end it, burying a bouncing puck into a practically empty net to complete the trip with ten of 12 points.

The Opponent: Boston Bruins (4-5-1, 9 Points This Season)

There were some, myself included, who thought the Boston Bruins would come back down to earth last season after Patrice Bergeron retired. Instead, the Bruins continued to be one of the most consistent teams in the league, amassing 109 points for a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division. They had a chance at the division crown, stumbling down the stretch to set up a first-round meeting with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They would conquer the Leafs in a seven-game thriller but fell in six games to the Florida Panthers in the second round. David Pastrnak finished the season with 47 goals and 110 points, while their goalie duo continued to be outstanding. 

This offseason proved to be tricky for the Bruins. They traded half of their tandem, Linus Ullmark, to Ottawa before securing Jeremy Swayman, which took until the eleventh hour to get done. They were able to nab Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov to bolster their lineup, but things haven't been going well in Boston to begin the year. After winning two of their first three games, the Bruins are 2-4-1 since, including a 2-0 loss to the Flyers on Tuesday. Pastrnak is still putting the puck in the net, leading the team with six goals, but their fourth line has been their most productive group. Cole Koepke has seven points, while John Beecher and Marc Kastelic have six each. Brad Marchand is still a pest who can pass, but his scoring touch hasn't been there. Swayman hasn't gotten off to a great start as their true starter, though there is plenty of time for him to find his stride.

Last Season's Meetings- The road team dominated the season series last year, winning all three meetings. They first met in late January for the Mom's Trip. Spencer Martin made his first start with the team after being claimed off waivers. Martin Necas and Teuvo Teravainen scored on the power play to help the Canes get out to a 2-0 lead. Brad Marchand scored twice in the third period to tie the game, but Jordan Martinook played the hero, scoring on a breakaway with 2:27 left to win it for the moms. The night ended with an all-time interview on the bench with Martinook and his mom.

Their final two meetings came five days apart at the end of the season in April. Boston got the Canes back in Raleigh, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Jake Guentzel scored on the power play to cut into their lead, but Hampus Lindholm sealed the deal into the empty net to win 4-1. Five days later, the Canes would beat the Bruins by the same final. Andrei Svechnikov opened the scoring in the second period with his third-career lacrosse goal, and Teuvo Teravainen added another goal just over two minutes later. Charlie McAvoy broke the shutout late in the middle period, but the Canes would get it back when Jake Guentzel scored midway through the third. Seth Jarvis iced it, scoring his 30th goal short-handed late.

Stories of the Night

1. Back in Raleighwood

During the postgame show on Monday night, Sebastian Aho made an interesting point about the first home game after a long road trip being tricky. I'm sure the opponent for that first game doesn't make things any easier. This road trip went about as well as anyone could've hoped. The only blemish on the trip was a tightly contested loss in St. Louis before they rattled off four straight wins in Alberta, Seattle, and Vancouver. The Caniacs are certain to pack the barn, welcoming their team home with open arms to begin their four-game homestand.

2. How Does Andersen's Injury Affect the Goalie Rotation?

If we're still going by the rotation, Spencer Martin would be in line to start this game, but Pyotr Kochetkov feels like the more likely starter. Frederik Andersen wasn't dressed for Monday's game in Vancouver after aggravating something during his start in Seattle. Monday was Kochetkov's turn in the rotation, but the two days on both sides of Thursday's game could be enough reason to give Kochetkov this start. I have trust in both goalies, so I'm not opposed to either getting in there against the Bruins.

3. How Chippy Will This Game Get?

The Hurricanes and the Bruins don't like each other. While I wouldn't classify it as a rivalry on par with other teams in the division, there is a clear disdain out of mutual respect. With how poorly things have gone for the Bruins lately, they are destined to be upset when they take the ice at the Lenovo Center. Brad Marchand is likely to be a major instigator. The question will be whether the Hurricanes can remain level-headed and not play into the Bruins' hands when they try to stir the pot.