Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins: ECF Game 1 Preview and Storm Advisory

The Hurricanes are back! After defeating the New York Islanders in a four-game sweep, which earned them nearly a week of much needed rest, Carolina is back in action tonight as they kick off the Eastern Conference Final against the Bruins in Boston.

After a delay due to logistics associated with the Western Conference final, which was decided late last night, the NHL has finally published the schedule for this series, which will be broadcast on NBC and NBCSN.

• Game 1, at Boston, Thursday, May 9, 8:00 pm
• Game 2, at Boston, Sunday, May 12, 3:00 pm
• Game 3, at Carolina, Tuesday, May 14, 8:00 pm
• Game 4, at Carolina, Thursday, May 16, 8:00 pm
• Game 5, at Boston, Saturday, May 18, 7:15 pm*
• Game 6, at Carolina, Monday, May 20, 8:00 pm*
• Game 7, at Boston, Wednesday, May 22, 8:00 pm*

* if necessary

Game Notes

• The Canes come into tonight’s game on five full days of rest, their longest break of the postseason. The extended break allowed several banged-up players to recuperate, and as a result, there will be a few roster decisions to make heading into tonight’s game (note: Maenalanen is skating but in a non-contact jersey). The Canes will not hold a morning skate today, but they will hold a media session at 12:00 pm at TD Garden.

• The Bruins picked up the season series, posting a 2-1-0 record (Canes: 1-1-1).
• Sebastian Aho has been historically hot against the Bruins, potting 12 points (8g, 4a) in nine career games. His recorded a point in five straight matchups against Boston.
• The Hurricanes franchise and the Bruins have met in a playoff series five times in their history. The teams met most recently in the Hurricanes’ 2009 playoff run, where the Canes downed the Bruins in 7 games with an overtime winner from Scott Walker.
• The Hurricanes have won their past six games dating back to Game 6 of their first playoff series, marking the franchise’s second-longest postseason win streak. The 2005-06 Hurricanes won seven consecutive games between the quarterfinals and semifinals.
• Bruins defensive stalwart Charlie McAvoy has been suspended for Game 1 as a result of a high hit on Josh Anderson in Game 6.

• Doc Emrick will be on the call for the Eastern Conference Final with Kenny Albert on the Western Conference Final. That means we’ll get John Forslund and Tripp Tracy on 99.9 The Fan for the radio coverage.

Storm Advisory

• Happy Anniversary to Rod Brind’Amour, who was announced as the head coach of the Hurricanes one year ago yesterday and introduced in a media press conference one year ago today. Hear what his players have to say about the cultural shift he has fostered in the locker room. [CH.com]
• The Bruins vs. Hurricanes matchup leaves some alumni with torn allegiances. [NHL]
• Playoff previews: Bruins vs. Hurricanes edition. [The Athletic] [NHL]
• Jaccob Slavin’s rough road to the NHL playoffs is finally paying off. [NHL]
• The Hurricanes are going above and beyond for tonight’s Eastern Conference Final game!

About Last Night

• The Sharks got out to an early lead in the Shark Tank last night thanks to Joe Pavelski, who made an emotional return to the lineup and immediately came up big with a goal. A few minutes later Nathan MacKinnon went awkwardly into the boards and appeared to injure his shoulder. He went straight to the room and the Sharks soon made it 2-0. At this point, it looked like the Avalanche were toast. But MacKinnon would make a return to the game and the Avalanche charged back in. They had tied the game at 2-2 in the second period but the goal was called back based on the changing Gabriel Landeskog’s feet still being in the offensive zone during the Avalanche zone entry. The Sharks won Game 7 in front of the home crowd by a score of 3-2.