Access ... remember that now that we've moved on the Conference Finals, start times shift to a standard 8:00 for evening games, Forslund returns to local radio and NBC and their network has exclusive TV. Oh, and buckle in for Millbury doing color because that's a thing to be buckled in for.
Game Stuff ...
Hurricanes: Still no formal word on Ferland, who I expect to be a game time decision. Apparently he received his medical clearance and his IS traveling with the team. No formal work on the starter in net either, but Mrazek has been a full participant in practice sessions all week and should be good to go. Otherwise, Maenalanen is close to returning but still out and TVR is out full stop. If Ferland goes, then Bean and Brown will be your roster extras.
Bruins: McAvoy is suspended for Game 1, replaced in the rotation by Steven Kampfer. Clifton will take his spot as caddy for Chara, while Kampfer will slide into the 3rd pairing with Grzelcyk (side note: I HATE typing that guy's name). Forwards should be the same as they've used in the playoffs thus far, as Cassidy generally makes adjustments in-game and sparingly. Rask is in net, with Halak backing up.
General:
Boston appears to be the conventional favorite. Higher seed, better record, more experience, bigger stars, etc. Vegas likes them close, and most media pundits agree. The stats-based sites like the Canes a lot better, however. Money Puck actually has them favored, among the more mainstream. Bottom line, it's tight.
My Thoughts:
Avoid special teams scenarios as much as possible. Carolina needs 5v5 to gain traction, and if they can get out of their zone with speed and get on their forecheck, they'll cause problems for that Boston D. Beating Rask generally requires volume, and that's usually the Canes game. It's not a horrible matchup, but the Canes will have to be better than they've shown thus far in the post of consistently getting into their possession game. Game 1 will be a zoo, and with McAvoy out the Bruins will be super focused on the D coverage. So, if Carolina could get on the board early, or at least get in some grinding shifts early, this is a game they can steal.
Game Stuff ...
Hurricanes: Still no formal word on Ferland, who I expect to be a game time decision. Apparently he received his medical clearance and his IS traveling with the team. No formal work on the starter in net either, but Mrazek has been a full participant in practice sessions all week and should be good to go. Otherwise, Maenalanen is close to returning but still out and TVR is out full stop. If Ferland goes, then Bean and Brown will be your roster extras.
Bruins: McAvoy is suspended for Game 1, replaced in the rotation by Steven Kampfer. Clifton will take his spot as caddy for Chara, while Kampfer will slide into the 3rd pairing with Grzelcyk (side note: I HATE typing that guy's name). Forwards should be the same as they've used in the playoffs thus far, as Cassidy generally makes adjustments in-game and sparingly. Rask is in net, with Halak backing up.
General:
Boston appears to be the conventional favorite. Higher seed, better record, more experience, bigger stars, etc. Vegas likes them close, and most media pundits agree. The stats-based sites like the Canes a lot better, however. Money Puck actually has them favored, among the more mainstream. Bottom line, it's tight.
My Thoughts:
Avoid special teams scenarios as much as possible. Carolina needs 5v5 to gain traction, and if they can get out of their zone with speed and get on their forecheck, they'll cause problems for that Boston D. Beating Rask generally requires volume, and that's usually the Canes game. It's not a horrible matchup, but the Canes will have to be better than they've shown thus far in the post of consistently getting into their possession game. Game 1 will be a zoo, and with McAvoy out the Bruins will be super focused on the D coverage. So, if Carolina could get on the board early, or at least get in some grinding shifts early, this is a game they can steal.