Bruins Stumble Into Carolina To Battle NHL-Worst ‘Canes

The Bruins crushed the 'Canes back in October and look to repeat those results and end a four game skid.

After four straight unbelievably deflating, just plain and embarrassing losses, the Bruins are back on the road with a rare Sunday battle in Carolina. As any Bruins fan can recall, it was the Carolina Hurricanes who knocked the Bruins out of the playoffs last season in the second round, but this season has presented rather unexpectedly disappointing results for both clubs.

The ‘Canes started a woeful 2-7-3 in October, including a 14-game winless streak that lasted over a month. The hits just kept on coming as top-line center Eric Staal spent time on the injured-reserve while a lacerated leg kept stud goaltender Cam Ward out of action for 13 games, forcing Paul Maurice’s ‘Canes to plug the Carolina crease with Manny Legace.

In Boston, the daunting task of staying healthy has been impossible for the Bruins since late October and appears to show no signs of changing as injured forwards Steve Begin, Byron Bitz, Marc Savard, and Marco Sturm all stayed back in Boston for this brief road swing.

While the B’s season hasn’t gone nearly as disastrous as the boys in red from Raleigh, who sit in dead last in the NHL, the Bruins currently find themselves on the outside looking in sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference behind Montreal, the New York Rangers, and Philadelphia, who all have one more point than the Bruins’ 54.

In net for Boston will be Tim Thomas, who has a 1-3-1 record in his last five starts with an .876 save percentage over that span. Thomas will be opposed by Cam Ward, who has put together his strongest month of goaltending for the ‘Canes this month with a 5-5-0 record, and 2.33 goals against average.

Storyline of the Night

Can the Bruins finally wake up and light the lamp against a team they’ve scored a total of 25 goals against in their last five regular season contests?

The Bruins got their version of revenge against the ‘Canes on October 3rd, when they scored seven goals in a dominant win, but can the Bruins find a way to repeat that without pivotal forwards such as Marco Sturm and Marc Savard?

Stats To Note & Players To Watch

* The Bruins have not lost in Carolina in the regular season since December 27th, 2007.

* Mark Recchi has 78 points, 28 of which coming on the powerplay, in 82 career games against the ‘Canes.

* Bruins center David Krejci is pointless in his last three games with a -4.

* Enforcer Shawn Thornton will be a game-time decision with an undisclosed injury.

* Newly appointed captain Eric Staal has 5 goals, 10 point, and is a +2 in eight games this month for Carolina.

* Boston’s extraordinary villain Scott Walker will be out of today’s game as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

* 2010 Trade Deadline’s best available player not named Ilya, Ray Whitney, has 32 points in 37 games against the Bruins in his career.

* The Carolina Hurricanes have four former Bruins on their active roster: Andrew Alberts, Sergei Samsonov, Aaron Ward, and Stephane Yelle.

* This contest presents fans with a battle of the most anemic offenses. The Bruins currently sit 30th in the NHL with 126 goals for, while Carolina is 29th with 127.

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