Carolina Hurricanes Lose Disastrous Game Four to The Bruins

Protecting the Lead

The Carolina Hurricane must learn from this game and decisively protect leads.

If Tripp Tracy has said this once, he’s said it a thousand times. To paraphrase, he always says something along the lines of you can’t give Boston any room to play their game because they will take advantage of the situation. If anyone ever doubted that sentiment, tonight’s game will put that doubt to rest.

As I mentioned before, Reimer played an incredible game. I find it hard to criticize him for the first goal in which he failed the attempt to clear the puck outside of his crease. I admire the hustle and the effort. It was a split-second decision that didn’t pay off, but I can’t fault him for it.

What I fault the rest of the team for is taking this goal and seemingly dropping their entire effort. The team looked deflated, passes were sloppy, there was no more hustle to the puck, and clearing the zone seemed to be more difficult than usual. If the Canes want to remain alive in this series, they must find a way to protect the lead.

I understand reigning in the offensive effort after a goal, but a team can’t stop looking for goals and also stop playing offense. The only thing that is good for is a total breakdown, and that’s exactly what happened after the first goal.

The key to protecting a lead is slowing down the game and focusing on the fundamentals: crisp passing, a strong forecheck, and a focused defensive effort. As Tripp Tracy says, the Bruins will take advantage and that’s exactly what they did tonight. After the first goal, they didn’t hesitate to poke holes in the Canes game every area they could and capitalize on the result.

Next, let’s look at an offensive picture that is still in need of life.

How to Move Forward Without Svech

The Carolina Hurricanes struggled to produce without Andrei Svechnikov.

Aside from the two goals, the Hurricanes had plenty of chances to produce points. However, something just isn’t clicking in the offensive picture for the Hurricanes. The Canes are not hopeless without Andrei Svechnikov, but they certainly aren’t the same.

I am very happy with both Justin Williams and Jordan Martinook tonight, not just because of their goals but because of their overall efforts. Martinook has made his presence known as he’s been given a few chances on the top line, and I thought this was a nice cap to his performance so far.

Williams was instrumental in the last few games of the regular season for the Hurricanes, and I predicted that he would be a key factor in the playoffs for the team.  Williams’ goal tonight is a great example of what an impact he can make on the team moving forward, both as a leader and a goal scorer.

With an assist tonight, Aho quietly continues to make a major impact in the postseason.  However, the offensive effort still feels flat. Cardiac Canes’ Conor Power mentioned several players who need to make an impact following Svechnikov’s injury, including Jake Gardiner and Warren Foegele.  It’s been said before, but game five needs a total team effort from the Hurricanes.

Vincent Trocheck did gain an assist tonight, and he is one player I have been keeping a close eye on. I feel like he’s on the verge of making a big mark on the organization, but he needs to put some points up to make that case.  Brind’Amour has been switching up the lines frequently, and I hope that Trocheck can land in a spot that is beneficial to him.

Next, let’s look at how the Hurricanes can stay alive to fight another day with a game five win.

Where to Go From Here

The Carolina Hurricanes need to leave it all on the ice.

Unfortunately, the Hurricanes have exhausted their safety net. One more loss and the Hurricanes will be sent home to Raleigh until the start of the regular season. However, there is still reason to be hopeful that the Hurricanes can work their magic and come out victorious against the Bruins.

The Hurricanes team that swept the Rangers is the most dominating I have seen the team all season. Although the Canes have not recaptured that magic against the Bruins, my hope remains that since they have been able to harness that energy they can find a way to make it happen against the Bruins.

There are no more second chances, and the Canes will have to feel true desperation in order to make every play count. The Canes won’t have to reach far to find that desperation since this is their last chance to stay alive in the series.

I believe in this team, and I believe that they can come together to pull out a victory in game five.  The path to that victory starts with the excellent forecheck that was established against the Rangers. The best way to neutralize the Bruins is to not give them a chance to establish their offensive game.

This forecheck was apparent in the second period of tonight’s game, where Carolina arguably played their best period against the Bruins in the whole series.  The team that can beat the Bruins is there, but the boys must focus on a complete effort for the entire 60 minutes. As we saw tonight, the Bruins will take a mile when they are given an inch.

Second, getting to the net and shooting as many pucks as possible at the net is as important as ever. Halak was caught off of his game tonight, and I think cutting off his vision of the shotting lane by posting in front of the net and taking chances with shots are going to weaken his ability to stop pucks.

More from Cardiac Cane

• 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase: Takeaways from the Canes’ Strong Showing in Florida
• Week Two Coverage Of College Hockey In NC
• Derek Stepan Ends His On Ice Career As A Hurricane
• The Southeast Rookie Showcase Will Be a Good Look at Carolina’s Future
• Noesen Ready To Provide Depth For Canes

Last but not least, the blueliners must protect James Reimer and Petr Mrazek. Mrazek has been nothing short of solid, and Reimer has been outstanding as well despite his numbers tonight (which are the result of the defense allowing the Bruins to get to the net without resistance). Give Reimer and Mrazek the chance to do what they do best by keeping pucks out of the zone.

It’s hard to shake off the disappointment of tonight’s game, but if any team can battle back from diversity its the Carolina Hurricanes. If they can truly play the way that they are known for, then Boston will be in the rearview in a few games. Goodnight Caniacs, let’s support the boys all the way until the last whistle.

Question for CC Readers: What is your biggest takeaway from last night’s disaster?