The Carolina Hurricanes close out their 2009-10 season much sooner than they originally anticipated this afternoon as they tackle the Boston Bruins at TD Garden starting at 1 p.m. While the Canes will be playing for pride as well as to impress their coach for next season, the Bruins could wrap up a playoff spot with a win.
As mentioned previously, Rod Brind`Amour did not make the trip and will sit this last contest out. Jerome Samson was recalled and will play in his spot. The forward lines should be as follows:
- Staal, Jokinen, LaRose
- Sutter, Cole, Whitney
- Dwyer, Boychuk, Bowman
- Samson, Kostopoulos, Samsonov
The coaching staff will most likely mix and match the hodgepodge of defensemen who made the trip. Pothier, McBain, Carson, Rodney, Harrison, and Borer will all be ready. Tim Conboy returned to Albany on Friday and Joni Pitkanen is not expected to play.
Cam Ward will get the start in net.
Eric Staal has 29 goals and needs one more to make it to a nice plateau. Jussi Jokinen leads the team with 30, which is his career best.
Staal is red hot and has nine points, (5 goals), in his last two games.
The Hurricanes rank second in the East with 51 points in their last 40 games. Only Washington earned more in the same time frame, (62).
The Bruins are ahead in the season series with Carolina, 2-1.
FS Carolinas has the telecast. Many of us will be at the Backyard Bistro watching this one, but we will have the Open Game Thread as usual, for those who can not make it. The open thread will be ready at 12:30.