Game #6 Preview: Hurricanes vs Bruins

Hurricanes (5-0-0) vs Bruins (3-2-0)


These two teams are very familiar with each other. The Hurricanes and Bruins met each other in back-to-back

postseasons before last year. The Bruins won both series and had an overall record of 8-1 in those nine games.

But Carolina is looking for revenge and more confidence heading into a stretch of 3 games in 4 days.


Previous Meeting

The last game between these two teams was game 5 of the 2020 1st round in the Toronto bubble. Boston won

that game 2-1 and clinched the series. The game-winning goal was scored by Patrice Bergeron, a bad angle

goal given up by Petr Mrazek that ultimately cost Carolina their season.


Perfection Line

Boston’s “Perfection Line” has been near perfect this season 5 on 5. The trio of

Pastrnak-Bergeron-Marchand have produced a 77.3 expected Goals percentage (Via MoneyPuck.com). 


Projected Lines

Svechnikov-Aho-Teravainen

Kotkaniemi-Trocheck-Necas

Niederreiter-Staal-Fast

Martinook-Stepan-Lorentz


Slavin-Bear

Skjei-Pesce

Cole-DeAngelo

Andersen


Scratches: B. Smith, Jarvis


What the Analytics Predict

MoneyPuck.com gives Carolina a 60.7% chance of winning tonight

Carolina has a staggering 108.16 PDO (Sh%+Sv%) this season. 8.16 points over the expected 100 PDO.

This is something unsustainable for the entire season, and Carolina’s scoring and goaltending is likely to

regress by at least a little bit before the month is over.

Players To Watch

The usually sluggish starting Sebastian Aho has been on fire up to this point of the season. He has produced

9 points in 5 games. Aho’s slow starts have been what has held him back from being a true superstar in the

NHL. His play will be key for Carolina, not just tonight, but for the rest of the season.

Craig Smith is a quality play-driver at even strength. His ability to create will give Carolina problems tonight.

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