BOSTON — The Bruins had their way with the Hurricanes on April 4 when they won 4-1 on the road. Fast forward five days later and it was the opposite outcome — a 4-1 Carolina win over Boston at TD Garden.
Boston started the game off strong. But after a scoreless first, the Hurricanes essentially controlled the rest of the game, scoring two unanswered goals — including a shorthanded tally — in the win. While Jeremy Swayman made some fantastic saves throughout the night, the Hurricanes proved to be too strong.
And while Tuesday’s game wasn’t the kind they want to play in front of their own fans, Swayman sees it as a learning experience with so few games left in the regular season.
“I think it’s good for us moving forward and understanding that no team is going to be soft on us just because we have four games left in the season,” Swayman said. ”It’s our job to get punched in the face and get back up. That’s what we did tonight.”
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Going into Tuesday’s game, the Bruins were winners of four straight — all on the road. Boston had momentum on its side, but once Carolina scored its third goal to go up 3-1, coach Jim Montgomery said, “it’s kind of like the air went out of the balloon.”
“We really had no transitional offense,” Montgomery said. “Again, I give them credit, they checked, and that’s what we’re going to see in the playoffs.”
Both the Bruins and the Hurricanes have clinched playoff berths, and could possibly meet if the stars align. Tuesday’s loss had a playoff-like vibe for most of the game, and playing one another in the span of a few days had Boston feeling it was indeed a playoff game.
“This was the same thing with Florida except it was a week apart,” Charlie McAvoy said. “But we’re going to see these teams again. It’s who’s going to be able to adapt and who’s going to be able to elevate.”
The Bruins now have three games left in the regular season — two more on the road and one at home. They don’t play again until Saturday, so there’s some time to recoup and rest before they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“Eighty-two games (on the schedule), we’re in first place,” Montgomery said. “We’re OK.”
