Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins Game 5: Preview, Storm Advisory

The Hurricanes have their backs against the wall down 3-1 in this series coming into Game 5. They will fight for their playoff lives today as they try to avoid being eliminated by the Bruins for the second postseason in a row.

Game Notes

• The Hurricanes seemingly dodged a bullet for the second game in a row on Monday as Jordan Staal took a heavy hit from Charlie McAvoy in the third period and headed immediately to the locker room. He did not return during the game, but practiced yesterday with the team.
• Andrei Svechnikov watched Game 4 from the stands with a boot on his right foot. He is out for at least the remainder of this series, but reports have indicated that his injury was not as severe as it originally looked.
• Joel Edmundson is likely out today for the third straight game. The 27-year-old defensemen has been unfit to play since Game 1 of this series.
• Bruins winger David Pastrnak participated in Bruins practice for the third straight day yesterday. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy indicated that Pastrnak had a chance to draw back in today, but noted that he was still questionable.
• The Canes enter this afternoon’s game trailing the Bruins 3-1. The Canes own a 2-1 record in Game 5s when trailing 3-1. The sole loss came in Game 5 of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals.
• Sebastian Aho picked up an assist in Game 4 for his NHL-leading 11th point of the postseason (3g, 8a). He is also tied with Quinn Hughes for the league lead in assists this postseason. His 11 points are tied with Eric Staal in 2006 for the most points through the first seven games of the playoffs in franchise history.
• Justin Williams found the back of the net in Game 4 against the Bruins for his first point of the 2020 postseason. The goal tied Ray Whitney for the fifth-most goals in franchise playoff history (12). He also tied Whitney and Cory Stillman for the fifth-most points in franchise playoff history (26).

Storm Advisory

• Rod Brind’Amour: ‘Turn the page’
• Trocheck, McGinn on moving forward
• Dale Howerchuk passed away yesterday at the age of 57 after a fight with stomach cancer. Both Andrei Svechnikov and prospect Nick Suzuki played under the Hockey Hall of Fame player and coach in the OHL with the Barrie Colts. [NHL]

• Vladamir Tarasenko is out for at least the remainder of the Blues series against Vancouver. The winger returned to St. Louis for an evaluation of his surgically repaired left shoulder. [NHL]