Need to Know: Bruins at Hurricanes | Game 2
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RALEIGH, N.C. – The Bruins will be aiming to even up their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes at a game apiece on Wednesday night as the teams face off in Game 2 at PNC Arena. While a 2-0 series deficit would hardly be the end of this best-of-seven matchup, the Black & Gold know they must respond with a more complete effort if they’d like to return home to Boston with the series tied.
“We know we need to be better, and we will be,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “Better in terms of finishing plays, I think, is the biggest challenge because there was a lot of things we did well the other night. To me, it’s not a 5-1 game. They score a couple of garbage goals late or whatever you want to call them…and a pinch goes sideways and they get the two-goal lead.
“We just have to bear down on our opportunities, so it doesn’t end up in that situation. But for us, again, it’s being better this game than we were last game and do enough to win.”
The Bruins have been excellent in recent years in stemming any extended losing streaks, as evidenced by not having dropped three in a row in roughly two seasons before a three-game skid last month. Boston is hopeful that mentality carries over into the postseason as they strive to prevent a second straight loss to open up the series.
“Since I’ve been here, part of the culture in the room is we don’t let things slide,” said Charlie McAvoy. “I think it’s a mindset in the regular season, especially, is we don’t let things compound as far as losing games consecutive. It’s our mentality to get back on track right away. We tend to do a good job with that.
“Obviously in the playoffs, it’s even more crucial to get back on track faster. That’s the objective tonight. I think there was enough good stuff from last game to draw some inspiration on what we could do more. Obviously, there’s learning opportunities for everything else. Just real excited for tonight.”
Cassidy attributed the groups’ willingness to “put the work in” to improve as the most important reason why the Bruins have been so good at bouncing back. The B’s also rely heavily on their core group of veteran leaders to set the right tone in the dressing room.
“I don’t think they get dejected over certain situations,” said Cassidy. “I think we have good leadership. They send good messages. I don’t think anybody panics after a loss here. I think we’ve done a good job sort of resetting.
“They’ve been around, they’ve been through a lot of playoffs. Our leaders, even our young guys like [David] Pastrnak, McAvoy, [Brandon] Carlo, these guys – they’re young [but] they’ve been through a lot of playoff series. It doesn’t always go the way it’s scripted right out of the gate.
“Sometimes it goes great. They get on a roll. Sometimes you’ve got to battle through a little harder. So, there’s no easy games. I think our guys truly understand that.”
Video: Cassidy talks upcoming Game 2
Blue Line Shuffle
The Bruins will have a slightly different look on the back end in Game 2 as Hampus Lindholm slides down to play with Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk shifts up to skate alongside McAvoy, reuniting a pair that has played significant minutes together over the course of the last several years.
“They’re just different players,” McAvoy said of the differences between playing with Grzelcyk and Lindholm. “I think there’s a familiarity with both guys now. I feel comfortable playing with anyone. I trust whoever my partner is that we’re gonna make plays together and we’re gonna do the job. Hard to compare the two but whoever I’m playing with I just know that I need to show up and do my job.”
Video: McAvoy discusses D-partner, mindset for Game 2
Wait, There’s More
Video: B’s get set to battle the Canes in Game 2
Wednesday’s Projected Lineup
FORWARDS
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Jake DeBrusk
Taylor Hall – Erik Haula – David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic – Charlie Coyle – Craig Smith
Nick Foligno – Tomas Nosek – Curtis Lazar
DEFENSEMAN
Matt Grzelcyk – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort – Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman