BSJ Playoffs Report: Bruins 2, Hurricanes 1 - Rask, PK stand tall to put B’s on brink of Stanley Cup Final berth taken at PNC Arena (2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs)

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs

BSJ Playoffs Report: Bruins 2, Hurricanes 1 - Rask, PK stand tall to put B’s on brink of Stanley Cup Final berth

By Conor Ryan

May 15, 2019 • 12:37 am

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 2-1 win over the Hurricanes in Game 3, with BSJ insight and analysis:

Box Score

THREE TAKEAWAYS

Tuukka Rask has been the great equalizer: A lot of has transpired through the first 180 minutes of play in the Eastern Conference Final — the continued dominance of the Coyle Line, goaltending switches, Justin Williams blowing a gasket, etc. etc.

Plenty of storylines and narratives have been crammed into the first three meetings between the Bruins and Hurricanes, but the one thing has remained a constant throughout this series — and the postseason as a whole — has been the play of Tuukka Rask.

“He was the difference maker,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said of Rask minutes after Boston’s 2-1 win on Tuesday night, putting the Bruins just one win away from a trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Rask continued to excel as the best player on the ice in Game 3 — turning aside 35 of the 36 shots that came his way — including all 11 pucks fired in over 8:34 of 5v4 play in favor of Carolina. Rask was at his best in the opening stanza — going a perfect 20-for-20 in saves through the first 20 minutes to keep his club afloat in enemy territory.

For as much flak as Rask has received over the years, Boston’s netminder is locked in at the perfect time for the Bruins — and has the B’s on the brink of the fourth and final round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Carolina’s power play is going to be the nail in its coffin: Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves — eh, let’s do it anyway.

When the postseason autopsies are written about the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2018-19 campaign, a whole ton of prose is going to be centered on their putrid power play — and how its numerous breakdowns prevented them from cashing in on plenty of great chances against the B’s.

Rask, Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron were immense as part of a B’s PK that went a perfect 5-for-5 on the night, and now ranks fourth in the postseason with an 85.7 percent success rate, but at some point, something’s gotta give if you’re Carolina. Not managing to get any pucks past Rask on 8:34 of power-play TOI — including on both a 4-on-3 and 5-on-3 stretch — is going to bury you.

The Bruins were in Carolina’s head at the start: Justin Williams stands as one of the more respected captains in the NHL, but man, has he lost it in the Eastern Conference Final. After getting pestered into a penalty by Brad Marchand on Sunday afternoon in Game 2, Williams continued to lose his composure on Tuesday — taking three penalties in the opening period alone.  

Along with the three infractions that he was whistled for, none of which Boston was able to capitalize against, Williams also was caught punching David Backes in the back of the head after the veteran B's forward was knocked to the ice during a net-front fracas. On a team with 11 players aged 25 or under, Williams is responsible for setting the tone for his club — and it seems all out of whack at this point.

FOUR UP

Tuukka Rask: The stats speak for themselves. With Tuesday’s 35-save performance, Rask’s save percentage this postseason is now up to .939. In this series alone, that number jumps up to .944. If you’re Brind’Amour, you just have to shake your head at this point.

Penalty Kill: Carolina’s power play has been dreadful this postseason, entering Game 3 with a putrid 11.1 (5-for-45) success rate on the man advantage. Still, sooner or later one finally had to break their way, right? No dice — as the ‘Canes went 0-for-4 in the first period alone en route to another goose egg when it comes to special teams. They were far from dormant, firing in 11 SOG during those five power-play bids, but still — Boston’s PK took away high-danger looks, while Rask stood tall in net.

Chris Wagner and the B’s fourth line: Noel Acciari might have been cleared to return to game action ahead of Game 3, but Cassidy opted to keep his fourth line of Sean Kuraly, Chris Wagner and Joakim Nordstrom intact after a stretch of strong play so far this series. Cassidy’s call paid off— as Wagner tipped a nice feed from Nordstrom home at the doorstep to open the scoring at 1:21 in the middle stanza.

After going scoreless through the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Wagner has now lit the lamp twice in three games so far in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, his status going forward this postseason isn’t looking all that great. (More on that later).




Zdeno Chara:
Protecting a one-goal lead for most of the second half of Tuesday’s matchup — along with four Carolina power plays in the opening 20 minutes — made Chara a busy man throughout the night. But the B’s captain was fantastic in crunch time, logging 5:26 of TOI on the penalty kill, while also recording 8:32 of ice time during the third period.


TWO DOWN


Bruins Injuries:
The Bruins are on the brink of eliminating the Hurricanes, but not without a cost — as Wagner exited the game in the closing minutes of the third period after blocking a slap shot from
Justin Faulk
. Wagner’s arm/wrist absorbed much of the blast, with the winger spending a couple of minutes on the bench in obvious pain before heading to the room. After the game, Wagner was spotted going to the X-ray room, with his arm in a sling. Not good for the B’s, although Acciari
 has been cleared for game action and would likely slot back in for Wagner if he’s out long term.




Justin Williams:
Taking three minor penalties over a span of 20 minutes is unacceptable for any player, let alone your captain. Gifting chances to a power play that has cashed in on a third of its opportunities going into Game 3 is far from a prudent move.


PLAY OF THE GAME


Take your pick of the best of Rask Tuesday night. Another spectacular showing from the B’s netminder.






PARTING THOUGHT


Justin Williams, man, That’s not a good look — especially against a guy with concussion issues like
David Backes.




LOOKING AHEAD


The Bruins will have a chance to clinch the Prince of Wales Trophy and punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday, with Game 4 set for 8 p.m. at PNC Arena.

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