Carolina Hurricanes: Need bounce back game against Boston Bruins

As a Massachusetts native and lifelong Bruins fan, this is the day that my family has been not-so-patiently awaiting since we moved to North Carolina. The Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins face off with both teams having very different expectations, and will be the thrill of the year for this hockey fan.

On the one hand you have a team having battled injuries for approximately a month in the Boston Bruins. With hopes of a deep playoff run and ultimately a Cup in the form of an eye’s twinkle, the Bruins are looking to come to Raleigh and affirm their desired dominance over a seemingly inferior club like the Carolina Hurricanes.

On the other hand you have a team whose high hopes have been brought back down to earth by a lack of scoring, while observing their former players exceeding anything they achieved while playing at PNC Arena. Nevertheless, the Carolina Hurricanes still harbor playoff hopes and as many suggest, they need to make a statement to bolster their fan support, confidence in the team, and settle the easily-wearied owner.

Sunday’s matchup with the Bruins has a lot on the line, with Boston looking to keep pace with their Atlantic Division rivals and the Carolina Hurricanes desperately looking to rebound after being pantsed by both Detroit and Pittsburgh. If you’re looking for an easy bounce back game, Boston would be well down your list of choices. The Canes are in for a long, hard fight, and they are going to have to be hungry to get anything from the game.

Who to Watch

Originally I was going to include a player. However, this is the time that we will see what Rod Brind’ Amour is made of as a Head Coach. What lines will he put together? Will his team come out ready to play or in a pre-emptive food coma in anticipation of their Christmas festivities? I hope for the former but logic tells me the latter.

Patrice Bergeron had a terrific game in his first tilt back from injury for the Bruins with two goals, two assists, and a 5-2 blowout win against Nashville last night. Bergeron has a history of battling through gruesome injuries and it is no surprise that he is a man on a mission after missing 16 contests. Expect him to come out of the gates showcasing his scoring touch, pinpoint passing, and elite two-way game.

What to Watch

Does this Hurricanes team have the ability to overcome adversity? This game very well could be the one to put the final nail in the coffin for this year and making the Canes only the third team in history to miss the NHL playoffs for ten straight years. If this team can overcome the potent Bruins top line and play with passion then this season might have hope. For the Raleigh faithful, let’s hope this is the case. If not, it could be bag-packing time for the new regime, who are actually the proteges of the previous regime.

It is all about the top line for the Bruins: Brad Marchand-Bergeron-David Pastrnak, which is possibly the best line in the NHL. They are able to produce multiple goals with ease and routinely capitalize on the opponent’s mistakes regardless of severity. When this line is underperforming on the offensive side, then the Bruins are a beatable team.

I want to be optimistic for the Canes regarding today’s game. They’ve done well in bounce back games and have enough talent to sneak up on the injured Bruins. However, the realist in me says the Bruins penchant for resilience and veteran leadership is likely to show through as they overtake the Hurricanes at the PNC. Caniacs will enter the parking lot longing for Santa to provide them comfort and joy as their beloved has spurned them again, proving unworthy of their unadulterated affections.

Merry Christmas!

Prediction: Hurricanes 1-4 Bruins