One important factor in the Bruins winning Game 6
The Boston Bruins are officially on the brink of elimination after losing game five to the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 5-1.
The best-of-seven series between the Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes has been a battle of home teams so far. On home ice, Boston is 2-0 while Carolina is 3-0. One huge advantage for both teams on one home ice has been getting the right line matchups with the last change.
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour had found an excellent matchup for Patrice Bergeron with his third line of Jordan Staal, Nino Niederreiter and Jesper Fast. At the same time, Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy has found his matchup for the Hurricanes' top line of Sebastion Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis, which is, of course, Patrice Bergeron.
In games three and four, Patrice Bergeron's had 5:30 of five-on-five ice time against Sebastian Aho. In those two games, Aho collected zero points and was a minus one. Bergeron had just 46 seconds of five-on-five ice time in game five, and Aho ended the night with two assists and was plus one.
So I think it's pretty clear what matchup the Bruins need in-game six to ensure the Hurricanes' top line doesn't hurt them again.
On another note, the Bruins have been outscored 12-6 at five-on-five in the series. They have not outscored Carolina at five-on-five in any of the five games so far. Boston also only has one even-strength goal from a forward not named Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron or David Pastrnak.
That same trio has also made up for 47.6% of the expected goals at five-on-five. "The Perfection Line" has four goals on 3.99 expected goals. As for all other Bruins forwards? They have just two goals on 4.39 expected in the series.
Those stats are not nearly close to a recipe for postseason success.
