(6) Carolina Hurricanes (3-1) at (1) Boston Bruins (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

[Lumi]

(6) Carolina Hurricanes (3-1) at (1) Boston Bruins (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

The sixth-seeded Carolina Hurricanes will have a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference finals tonight when they visit the top- seeded Boston Bruins for Game 5 at TD Banknorth Garden.

Since losing 4-1 in Boston in the opener of this best-of-seven conference semifinal series, the Hurricanes have rattled off three straight wins. Carolina's last two triumphs came on home ice, as it won an overtime decision in Game 3 and recorded a 4-1 victory in Friday's matchup.

The Bruins will need to use home-ice to their advantage if they are to come back and win this series. Boston was 29-6-6 as the host club during the regular season and are 3-1 at the Garden in the playoffs.

However, if Carolina, which is 3-3 as the guest in the postseason, loses tonight then it will still have a chance to end the series at home in Tuesday's Game 6.

Boston, which won 53 games and totaled 116 points during the regular season, has never come back from a 3-1 hole to win a playoff series in 20 opportunities. Last year, the Bruins pushed Montreal to a seventh game after being down three games to one, but lost the decisive contest.

Eric Staal led the way for Carolina in Friday's victory as he scored twice and set two franchise records in the process to lift the 'Canes to the decisive victory at RBC Center.

With his two markers, Staal surpassed Ron Francis for the most career playoff points in franchise history with 40. He also set a team record for most career playoff goals with 18, eclipsing teammate Rod Brind'Amour and Kevin Dineen.

It's a simple concept for Carolina in the 2009 playoffs. When Staal lights the lamp, the Hurricanes find the win column, going a perfect 7-0.

In addition to Staal, Jussi Jokinen has turned into an excellent postseason performer for Carolina. The Finn, who scored the overtime winner in Game 3 on Wednesday, netted the go-ahead goal early in the third period and picked up two assists. Jokinen has followed up a seven-goal regular season with six tallies in the postseason.

Sergei Samsonov, a former Bruin, also found the net for the Hurricanes, who are one win away from vanquishing the East's top seed and advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 2006, when they also won the franchise's only Stanley Cup title.

Cam Ward made 17 saves in the win for Carolina.

Meanwhile, Boston is at a loss after beginning the postseason with five straight wins, including a first-round sweep of their bitter rivals from Montreal, only to drop three in a row to Carolina.

Marc Savard had a power-play goal for Boston, while Tim Thomas was beaten four times on 31 shots.

"I think our team has probably picked the worst time of the year to play their worst hockey," said Bruins head coach Claude Julien. "That's what's happening right now. When you look at the whole team right now, there isn't anybody who has played up to their potential. You can see the frustration on the players right now, and it's certainly getting worse. This is something that has to be resolved before our next game, and we don't have much time to do that."

Boston had a great deal going for it heading into this matchup, including the fact that the Bruins are undefeated all-time against the Hurricanes in the postseason. This is the fourth time the Bruins have faced the Carolina/Hartford franchise in the playoffs.

This is just the second time the teams are meeting in the playoffs since the club moved to Carolina prior to the 1997-98 campaign. Boston ousted the Hurricanes in six games during the opening round of the 1999 playoffs.

Boston also dominated the regular season series against the 'Canes this year, as it took all four meetings and outscored Carolina by an 18-6 margin in the process.

 

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Preview: Hurricanes (45-30) at Bruins (53-19)

Preview: Hurricanes (45-30) at Bruins (53-19)

Preview: Hurricanes (45-30) at Bruins (53-19)


BOSTON (AP) - Less than 12 hours after returning home in the dead of night, the Bruins were on the ice Saturday, skating hard and searching for the style that made them the Eastern Conference's top seed.

No time for rest now.

If the Bruins don't figure it out soon, they will have plenty of time to relax. Boston has dropped three straight to the Carolina Hurricanes and will be facing elimination from the Eastern Conference semifinal series on Sunday night in Game 5.

Boston dominated the opener at home 4-1 then lost the next three by a combined score of 10-3. Friday night's 4-1 loss at Carolina gave the Hurricanes a commanding edge. The Hurricanes need only one more win - with three chances in front of them - to advance to the conference finals.


``You've got to be frustrated. If not, you don't care,' Bruins coach Claude Julien said after the hour-long practice. Players are ``probably angry at themselves for the way they've played so far.

``We have to play our game because right now that's what's costing us.'

The Bruins must play the way they did in winning their first five games of the playoffs - beat the opponent to the puck, win battles in the corners and put more shots on net. They had only 20 in Game 4 against goalie Cam Ward.

The Bruins were 4-0 against the Hurricanes in the regular season, but plenty has changed. Carolina benefited from the acquisition of Jussi Jokinen and Erik Cole and was 17-5-2 in its final 24 regular-season games.

``We knew they were going to come out hard and play hard,' Boston forward Milan Lucic said of the sixth-seeded Hurricanes. ``We knew they were a different team than what we faced in the season.'

The Hurricanes obtained Jokinen on Feb. 7 after he had scored six goals all season for Tampa Bay. He netted the go-ahead goal in the previous two playoff games and has six in the postseason.

``We played to our strengths' Friday night, Jokinen said, ``moving the puck well, skating well, keeping the game simple.'

Even if they lose Sunday, the Hurricanes will have a shot at winning the series at home on Tuesday. Carolina coach Paul Maurice doesn't think there will be a letdown in Boston.

``I certainly wouldn't expect it,' he said. ``I didn't see it in our eyes, in our conversations. I would suggest that the percentages of a 3-1 team are usually the higher-seeded team (being ahead). Maybe those teams realize or feel that they can turn it on and off.'

That might have happened last year when top-seeded Montreal won three of the first four games over eighth-seeded Boston in the opening round. Then the Bruins won the next two games before the Canadiens prevailed in Game 7.

A lesson, perhaps, for the current Bruins?

``It lets you know that it can be done and that the series isn't over yet,' goalie Tim Thomas said. ``It also teaches you if you can get the first one, then who knows?'

But the Bruins have lost all 21 series in which they've trailed 3-1. And Carolina advanced in both series it led 3-1.

``It's been quite a ride the last three months and especially in the playoffs,' Jokinen said. ``But I'm not satisfied with it and how things are right now.'

A strong start Sunday would improve the confidence that several Bruins said needs a boost. But they need much more. The Hurricanes have skated faster and stationed more players in front of their net to keep pucks from getting to Ward.

``The biggest thing is you really have to look at (Sunday's) game as the only obstacle you have to overcome,' Julien said. ``That's the only thing you should be thinking of.'

Still, the Bruins must find a way to recover quickly from a first period that was one of their worst 20-minute stretches of the season and a game in which they were soundly beaten.

They did make a speedy turnaround after squandering a 2-0 lead in the third period of a 3-2 overtime loss to Los Angeles on March 19. In their next game, they beat New Jersey 4-1, starting a season-ending 8-2 run.

``That (loss) really crushed us, and we came back against Jersey the next game and looked like a totally different team,' Julien said. ``So you've got to hope that your team is able to make that drastic change in one game and come back and play the way we know we can.

``This is reality and there's no sugarcoating it.'

 

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The MatchupCAROLINA (52-33- 0- 8) AT BOSTON (58-21- 0-11) 7:35 p.m. ET

The MatchupCAROLINA (52-33- 0- 8) AT BOSTON (58-21- 0-11) 7:35 p.m. ET

The MatchupCAROLINA (52-33- 0- 8) AT BOSTON (58-21- 0-11) 7:35 p.m. ET

GOALTENDING STATISTICS ( + = Rookie Goaltender )
CAROLINA
GPI MINS AVG W L T EN SO GA SA SV% G A PIM
CAM WARD 26 1542 2.53 13 9 3 1 65 738 .912 0 0 4
MICHAEL LEIGHTON 13 770 3.04 5 6 2 0 39 377 .897 0 0 4
CAR TOTALS 38 2326 2.84 18 15 5 6 1 110 1121 .902
BOSTON
GPI MINS AVG W L T EN SO GA SA SV% G A PIM
MANNY FERNANDEZ 17 922 2.02 12 2 1 1 31 441 .930 0 0 2
TIM THOMAS 22 1324 2.04 16 3 3 3 45 692 .935 0 0 2
BOS TOTALS 37 2252 2.08 28 5 4 2 4 78 1135 .931




WIN/LOSS COMPARISON
CAROLINA HOME UNITS AWAY UNITS TOTAL UNITS
2008 30-16-0 830 22-25-0 305 52-41-0 113
LAST 10 4-1-0 265 3-2-0 255 7-3-0 52
BOSTON HOME UNITS AWAY UNITS TOTAL UNITS
2008 32-13-0 550 26-19-0 480 58-32-0 103
LAST 10 3-1-0 90 3-3-0 -65 6-4-0 2




OVER/UNDER COMPARISON
(Note: units reflect money line result on the 'over')

CAROLINA HOME UNITS AWAY UNITS TOTAL UNITS
2008 19-24-3 -695 20-26-1 -805 39-50-4 -150
LAST 10 1-1-3 0 1-4-0 -340 2-5-3 -34
BOSTON HOME UNITS AWAY UNITS TOTAL UNITS
2008 27-16-2 1125 19-24-2 -595 46-40-4 53
LAST 10 2-2-0 5 3-1-2 210 5-3-2 21




SCORING STATISTICS
OVERALL LAST 10 GAMES
HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL
CAROLINA 2.9 2.8 2.9 3.4 2.0 2.7
OPPONENT 2.5 2.8 2.7 1.8 1.8 1.8
OVERALL LAST 10 GAMES
HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL
BOSTON 3.7 2.9 3.3 3.3 3.0 3.1
OPPONENT 2.3 2.4 2.4 1.8 3.0 2.5




REVIEW OF RECENT GAMES
CAROLINA
SCORE/W-L-T HOME LINE TOTAL
DATE OPP (*=OT) OPEN CLOSE OPEN CLOSE O/U GOALTENDER
4/17/09 at NJ 2-1 * W 0.0-145 0.0-150 5.0o 5.0o U WARD
4/19/09 NJ 2-3 * L 0.0-145 0.0-145 5.0o 5.0o P WARD
4/21/09 NJ 4-3 W 0.0-145 0.0-145 5.0o 5.0 O WARD
4/23/09 at NJ 0-1 L 0.0-155 0.0-150 5.0o 5.0o U WARD
4/26/09 NJ 4-0 W 0.0-150 0.0-140 5.0u 5.0u U WARD
4/28/09 at NJ 4-3 W 0.0-150 0.0-155 5.0u 5.0u O WARD
5/01/09 at BOS 1-4 L 0.0-200 0.0-200 5.5u 5.5u U WARD
5/03/09 at BOS 3-0 W 0.0-200 0.0-210 5.0o 5.5u U WARD
5/06/09 BOS 3-2 * W 0.0+105 0.0+100 5.0o 5.0o P WARD
5/08/09 BOS 4-1 W 0.0+105 0.0+110 5.0o 5.0o P WARD
BOSTON
SCORE/W-L-T HOME LINE TOTAL
DATE OPP (*=OT) OPEN CLOSE OPEN CLOSE O/U GOALTENDER
4/11/09 at BUF 1-6 L 0.0-110 0.0-105 5.5 5.5 O FERNANDEZ
4/12/09 at NYI 6-2 W 0.0+125 0.0+125 6.0u 6.0u O THOMAS
4/16/09 MON 4-2 W 0.0-210 0.0-230 5.5u 5.5u O THOMAS
4/18/09 MON 5-1 W 0.0-230 0.0-240 5.5u 5.5u O THOMAS
4/20/09 at MON 4-2 W 0.0+110 0.0+110 5.5u 5.5u O THOMAS
4/22/09 at MON 4-1 W 0.0+170 0.0+170 5.5u 5.5u U THOMAS
5/01/09 CAR 4-1 W 0.0-200 0.0-200 5.5u 5.5u U THOMAS
5/03/09 CAR 0-3 L 0.0-200 0.0-210 5.0o 5.5u U THOMAS
5/06/09 at CAR 2-3 * L 0.0+105 0.0+100 5.0o 5.0o P THOMAS
5/08/09 at CAR 1-4 L 0.0+105 0.0+110 5.0o 5.0o P THOMAS




HEAD-TO-HEAD
SCORE (*=OT) HOME LINE TOTAL WINNING
DATE VIS HOM-VIS OPEN CLOSE OPEN CLOSE O/U GOALTENDER
2/12/08 CAR 2-3 0.0-125 0.0-130 5.5 5.5 U WARD
2/19/08 BOS 2-3 * 0.0-140 0.0-120 5.5o 5.5o U THOMA
12/20/08 CAR 4-2 0.0-200 0.0-200 5.5u 5.5u O FERNA
12/27/08 BOS 2-4 0.0+130 0.0+130 5.5u 5.5u O THOMA
1/10/09 CAR 5-1 0.0-230 0.0-220 5.5u 5.5u O THOMA
2/17/09 BOS 1-5 0.0+140 0.0+130 5.5u 5.5u O THOMA
5/01/09 CAR 4-1 0.0-200 0.0-200 5.5u 5.5u U THOMA
5/03/09 CAR 0-3 0.0-200 0.0-210 5.0o 5.5u U WARD
5/06/09 BOS 3-2 * 0.0+105 0.0+100 5.0o 5.0o P WARD
5/08/09 BOS 4-1 0.0+105 0.0+110 5.0o 5.0o P WARD




VALUE INDEX ANALYSIS (team power ratings)
Team Power Rating
CAROLINA -105
BOSTON -110




VALUE INDEX COMPARISON
VALUE INDEX COMPARISON TO LAS VEGAS LINE:

LV LINE VI VI LINE VI EDGE
CAROLINA -105
BOSTON NL -110 -110 -115 .05

LV LINE VI LINE VI EDGE
OVER/UNDER 0.0 7.5 7.5 OVER

 

[Lumi]

Trends - Carolina at Boston

Trends - Carolina at Boston

Trends - Carolina at Boston

W/L Trends

Carolina
?Hurricanes are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
?Hurricanes are 4-0 in their last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
?Hurricanes are 6-1 in their last 7 Sunday games.
?Hurricanes are 10-2 in their last 12 Conference Semifinals games.
?Hurricanes are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
?Hurricanes are 5-1 in their last 6 overall.
?Hurricanes are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a road underdog of +151 to +200.
?Hurricanes are 4-1 in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog.
?Hurricanes are 4-1 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
?Hurricanes are 4-1 in their last 5 games as an underdog of +151 to +200.
?Hurricanes are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
?Hurricanes are 14-5 in their last 19 games following a win.
?Hurricanes are 19-7 in their last 26 vs. Eastern Conference.
?Hurricanes are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Northeast.


Boston

?Bruins are 7-1 in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
?Bruins are 18-5 in their last 23 games as a home favorite of -201 or greater.
?Bruins are 20-6 in their last 26 games as a favorite of -201 or greater.
?Bruins are 9-3 in their last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.
?Bruins are 30-11 in their last 41 games as a home favorite.
?Bruins are 47-18 in their last 65 games as a favorite.
?Bruins are 48-19 in their last 67 vs. Eastern Conference.
?Bruins are 36-15 in their last 51 home games.
?Bruins are 56-27 in their last 83 overall.
?Bruins are 2-5 in their last 7 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
?Bruins are 1-4 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
?Bruins are 0-4 in their last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.


OU Trends

Carolina
?Under is 8-1-3 in Hurricanes last 12 playoff games as an underdog.
?Under is 7-1-1 in Hurricanes last 9 road games.
?Under is 6-1-1 in Hurricanes last 8 games as a road underdog.
?Under is 6-1-3 in Hurricanes last 10 games as an underdog.
?Under is 6-1-1 in Hurricanes last 8 Sunday games.
?Under is 6-1-1 in Hurricanes last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
?Under is 5-1-3 in Hurricanes last 9 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
?Under is 4-1-2 in Hurricanes last 7 vs. Northeast.
?Under is 4-1-2 in Hurricanes last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
?Under is 4-1-3 in Hurricanes last 8 Conference Semifinals games.
?Under is 4-1-2 in Hurricanes last 7 overall.
?Under is 4-1 in Hurricanes last 5 games as an underdog of +151 to +200.
?Under is 4-1 in Hurricanes last 5 games as a road underdog of +151 to +200.
?Under is 4-1-2 in Hurricanes last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
?Under is 7-3-2 in Hurricanes last 12 games playing on 1 days rest.


Boston

?Under is 7-2-2 in Bruins last 11 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
?Under is 8-3 in Bruins last 11 games as a home favorite.
?Under is 8-3 in Bruins last 11 home games.
?Under is 5-2 in Bruins last 7 games as a home favorite of -201 or greater.
?Over is 5-2 in Bruins last 7 Sunday games.
?Under is 7-3 in Bruins last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
?Over is 11-5-2 in Bruins last 18 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.


Head to Head

?Hurricanes are 14-6 in the last 20 meetings in Boston.
?Under is 19-9 in the last 28 meetings in Boston.

 

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Recent Trends

Recent Trends

Recent Trends
Carolina:

?Under is 7-1-1 in CAR last 9 road games.

Boston:

?Under is 8-3 in BOS last 11 home games.
?BOS are 47-18 in their last 65 games as a favorite.
?BOS are 36-15 in their last 51 home games.

Head to Head:

?CAR are 14-6 in the last 20 meetings in Boston.
?Under is 19-9 in the last 28 meetings in Boston.