If there was a game that you could’ve circled as a likely loss before the Bruins embarked on their six-game road swing, it was most likely the finale in Carolina.
In addition to Raleigh’s PNC Arena being a true house of horrors for the Bruins (and pretty much every other team for that matter), the Hurricanes had been one of the team’s hottest teams in hockey since their deadline addition of Jake Guentzel. They also had both of their goaltenders rolling at an impressive clip, and Rod Brind’Amour’s club was also coming off back-to-back shutout victories.
In a league and sport where it’s all about getting hot at the right time, the Hurricanes were looking like the closest thing to a machine.
But that did not stop the Bruins from making quick work of the Hurricanes in their own building, with three goals in the opening 11 minutes of the first period, and as professional an effort as Jim Montgomery could’ve asked from his club in a 4-1 win.
Third Star: Brad Marchand
Apr 4, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at PNC Arena. (James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports)
Bruins captain Brad Marchand finally got the monkey off his back and is on the board with career goal No. 400.
MARCHY'S MILESTONE MARKER 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qvGEneJWAD
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 4, 2024In what was Marchand’s first goal since Mar. 9, and after 10 straight games without a marker, Marchand’s breakaway marker on the Hurricanes’ Freddie Andersen not only got his own game going, but also set the tone for the Bruins in what was a rapid-fire first period effort against Carolina.
In addition to the game-opening goal, Marchand put forth a more-than-solid effort in the box score, with three hits, a blocked shot, and four shots on goal in total in just under 17 minutes of time on ice.
Second Star: David Pastrnak
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 26: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on February 26, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Hurricanes tried an interesting strategy Thursday night: They decided to give David Pastrnak a freeway of ice to Andersen’s net. And, as you would expect, Pastrnak happily took it and roofed home a downright pretty strike.
Another "casual" goal from David Pastrnak. 🍝
— NHL (@NHL) April 5, 2024
Multi-Angle Goal presented by @bet365ca pic.twitter.com/3vVEsBVx51First of all, the goal comes off a slick dish from the Bruins’ Pavel Zacha, but Pastrnak’s ability to knock the puck down with his stick and get it settled on his blade is equally impressive. And noticing that the Canes were going to give him a wide-open lane to the net, Pastrnak taking it and not trying to make it anything fancier than it needed to be was key.
But Pastrnak wasn’t done, as he sent the puck to the slot for a Danton Heinen bang that pushed Boston’s lead to three, and effectively buried the Hurricanes before the end of the first period.
First Star: Jeremy Swayman
Jan 8, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) before the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. (Isaiah J. Downing/USA TODAY Sports)
Don’t look now, but both of Boston’s all-world goaltenders might just be heating up at the right time.
Two nights after Linus Ullmark stole the show with a 31-save shutout performance in Nashville, Jeremy Swayman has sent a return volley back to Ullmark with a strong, 28-of-29 victory over the Hurricanes. In fact, it took Swayman being down-and-out and on the seat of his pants — and with the Bruins trying to kill off a near two-minute 5-on-3 — for the Hurricanes to even beat Swayman in this contest. And though this was Swayman’s third straight victory going back to last week’s win over Florida, I feel comfortable saying that this was the best he’s looked over that three-game stretch, as he was forced to make countless key saves early to by all means help strangle the life out of this relentless Carolina squad.
