For the Boston Bruins, there’s just something about those damned Carolina Hurricanes.

No matter the difference in the standings between Boston and Carolina -- and believe me, there’s certainly been some over the past three years plus -- the Hurricanes are a team that’s given the Bruins more fits than perhaps anybody else in the entire Eastern Conference. For a slower team like the Black-and-Gold, Carolina’s simply infuriating. And that frustration has been on display from the B’s time and time again, as they enter tonight’s game 2-4 against the ‘Canes, and 1-3 in Raleigh, N.C since the start of the 2011-12 season.

They’ve been a nightmare of a matchup for Boston, really. Nightmares headlined by events such as one-time (terrible) Bruin Joe Corvo scoring the game-winning goal in last year’s season-series finale between the two conference foes. (Shivers).

Factor all of that nonsense in with a three-game road losing streak for the B’s and there’s little to find confidence in as the Bruins embark on the first leg of a back-to-back that ends in NYC tomorrow. Well, not necessarily.

See, the Bruins aren’t facing the 27-year-old Justin Peters, a goaltender that’s won four of his last six and posted a .949 save percentage over that stretch tonight. Instead, set to make his first appearance since Oct. 24, the return of Cam Ward for the ‘Canes presents Boston with the absolutely golden chance to break out their goal-scoring sticks for the first time this season.

Out with a lower-body injury for nearly a month, there’s going to be some undeniable rust on Ward’s pads, and with a mild 2.81 goals against average and .912 save percentage in seven contests this year, a strong start from a Boston offense that’s scored 15 goals in their last five games could spell doom for Ward and company. Of the Bruins’ 52 goals scored in 19 games this season, just 15 have come in the first period (29 percent), but they’re going against a Carolina club that’s scored the second fewest opening 20 goals this year, tallying just seven in their first 20 contests of 2013-14.

Put a rusty Ward in an early hole and against Tuukka Rask? I’ll take the B’s chances there.

And just how badly do the Bruins need a game like that? Like you wouldn’t believe, really.

This past Friday’s showing in Ottawa appeared to have that feel to it given the B’s quick scoring in the first period, with goals from Loui Eriksson and Brad Marchand giving the club a quick 2-0 edge over Craig Anderson and the Sens. But a defensive collapse had its say and put that idea to bed real quick. Now, with the chance for a offensive kickstart tonight in Carolina, witnessing a repeat of Friday’s effort against the likes of Eric Staal and Alexander Semin is an outright no-go and a half for Claude Julien and company.

Can Eriksson keep it going?

Ever so quietly, B’s forward Loui Eriksson has put together a solid little run here, recording two goals and six points during his current five-game point streak. And that’s, well, what he’s kinda known for, no? Eriksson’s a scorer that’s typically always flown under everybody’s radar, and even in the bright lights of playing for the Black-and-Gold that’s something that we’re witnessing right now.

For the Swede that’s finally appearing to settle into a groove in the Hub, a point tonight would make it six straight contests with at least one point, and give him his first six-game point streak since Dec. 2010 to Jan. 2011, a streak that ultimately lasted 10 games.

It's funny though, because you really can't point to any one play during Eriksson's streak and say, "Well that's the game where it finally clicked!" Since returning from a concussion suffered back on Oct. 23, Eriksson's continued to improve in all three zones, and has been the club's epitome of a skater that's simply in the right place at the right time.

News, notes and tidbits

Defensemen Adam McQuaid remains out of action for the Bruins tonight. The stay-at-home defender has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury, and continues to work out in an effort to get himself fully healed up for a Boston blue-line that’s missed his physical presence.

He’ll continued to be replaced by the 24-year-old Matt Bartkowski, who’s recorded three assists, a plus-2 rating, and six hits since stepping in for McQuaid.

Sad news: Goaltender and (odd) fan favorite from last year, Anton Khudobin, won’t be on the bench for Carolina in this one as he continues to sit on the Hurricanes’ injured reserve.

Khudobin had a 10-4-1 record with a .921 save percentage during his two-year stint with Boston.

Join the Discussion: » 24 Comments » Post New Comment

» Leafs tie series while B's suffer massive loss on D

» Bruins keeping goalie plans a mystery for Game 2

» Swayman leads Bruins to Game 1 victory

» Plans in goal being kept secret; Injury updates aplenty

» Roster moves highlight Game 82 planning