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Carolina Hurricanes: 3 Keys to Stay Alive in Game 4 vs. Bruins

By Tony Trotmann

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 14: Calvin de Haan #44 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 14, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 14: Calvin de Haan #44 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 14, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 14: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins argues a disallowed goal with referee Kelly Sutherland #11 and Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 14, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 14: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins argues a disallowed goal with referee Kelly Sutherland #11 and Justin Williams #14 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 14, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2. Discipline or Fold

If it wasn’t so much more abundantly clear in Games 1 and 2, the Hurricanes will need to be disciplined and avoid being baited every single time to take avoidable penalties. This is the Bruins roster’s forte, they bait opponents and draw penalties and strike with their league-high 31.9% powerplay.

In Game 3, it seemed like the Hurricanes didn’t change much when it came to avoiding penalties. Although, their penalty-kill improved slightly, killing four penalties out of five, it’s not enough. The Hurricanes will find a more difficult time to keep momentum going their forecheck slows down, every time they take a penalty.

Justin Williams took three penalties. An elbow, holding the stick, and roughing. The Hurricanes have looked to their captain, Justin Williams all season as a leader and as their captain and Williams will need to set an example and show self-control and discipline to his team.

Either the Hurricanes go find a way to somehow score goals shorthanded and kill off every penalty they take while continuing momentum while being undisciplined or they can avoid the penalty box and continue a forecheck that has suffocated the Bruins…. speaking of which.

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