Hurricane Carolina Wrecks Boston

Two things came to me last night as I watched the Bruins and Hurricanes game: one, the Bruins can really play like garbage on any given night and two, those young Hurricanes forwards are impressive. Although the B's had a two goal lead at one point in the second period, they never seemed to be in control of the game. Their first two goals came with the man-advantage and after Brian Leetch put Boston ahead 3-1 midway through the game, it seemed inevitable Carolina was going to battle back and tie it up. In the late stages of the game 21-year-old Eric Staal made undressing the Bruins defense a habit. He assisted on both the 'Canes 2nd and 3rd goals of the game and relentlessly proved the Bruins could not compete with Carolina 5-on-5. In fact, if not for the play of Andrew Raycroft late in the 3rd period, the 'Canes would have won in regulation. By forcing the game into overtime, the Bruins picked up on point on the road and thanks to Matt Cullen's OT heroics, Carolina won 4-3.

Tonight could be ugly. If the B's play the non-physical, poorly supported defense they played last night in Carolina, the Toronto Maple Leafs will walk into Boston tonight and be handed two points. Generally speaking, the Leafs always seem to play well in Boston and if the Bruins don't bring their A game, they will get shellacked.