Hurricanes return to Raleigh for game five against Bruins

After dropping both games up in Boston, the two teams return home to PNC Arena where the adoring Caniacs will be in full voice for this game between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina will be looking to regain their series lead after losing it in game four, and Boston will be looking to win their third straight and take the advantage when the teams head to TD Garden for game six.

Carolina comes into this game with the crowd behind them. This will be a team playing in front of the PNC Arena crowd, and we all know there’s not another building on earth that responds to a team or its fans like the teams and fans within PNC Arena do. The loudest house in the NHL will be tasked with inspiring the Hurricanes past their long-time playoff kryptonite. Carolina will need its fans tonight.

As for the lineups, we know that the Hurricanes will be going with the same lineup they did in game four and there’s no reason to. The team was clearly better than the Bruins when they were at full strength, but the penalty troubles cost the Canes dearly and they were never able to regain their foothold in the game. But that was the last game. Now, we’re looking for the Canes to bounce back and take the edge in the series again.

Boston is still without Charlie McAvoy after the defender entered COVID-19 protocol in the build-up to game four, and his five-day isolation will mean he misses both game five and game six. Carolina needs to press home their advantage against the Bruins when the B’s are without their top two defensemen going into a critical game like this. The winner of this game will likely win the series. If Carolina can hold home ice, they will have the edge, if the Bruins win, they can knock the Canes out in Boston.