The Boston Bruins will try to get a four-game homestand started on the right note when they host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at TD Garden.
The defending Stanley Cup champions have recorded just two wins in five games this year, but the Bruins hope this home stint can help them get on track. Boston did open the year on a three-game homestand and went 1-2-0 in those outings.
Tonight's tilt marks the second meeting between the Bruins and Hurricanes this year after Carolina recorded a 3-2 regulation win last Wednesday in Raleigh. Boston has still won five of the last seven encounters in this series and Carolina has lost five of its last six games in Beantown.
Boston was able to notch a victory its last time out, recording a shootout win Saturday in Chicago. Tyler Seguin scored the game-winner in the shootout to give the Bruins a 3-2 decision at United Center.
Seguin scored with a wrist shot through the five-hole of Corey Crawford and Tim Thomas helped it stand up with saves on Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. Seguin, the second overall pick of the 2010 draft, also had an assist in regulation and has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in five games this year.
Chris Kelly and Nathan Horton scored in regulation while Thomas made 27 stops for the Bruins, who snapped a two-game slide.
Carolina enters tonight on a two-game winning streak and is coming off Friday's dramatic victory in Buffalo. Fifty-seven seconds after the Hurricanes coughed up their lead, Jeff Skinner got it right back and spoiled Buffalo's home opener. Skinner, who was last year's Calder Trophy winner, scored on a power play with 1:24 remaining to lift the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win over the Sabres.
Drew Stafford tied the game for Buffalo with 2:41 left, scoring in close after the puck took a weird bounce off the end boards, but Thomas Vanek was called for tripping with exactly two minutes left to set up Skinner's game-winner on a shot from the right circle.
"It was a big win for us," said Skinner. "Character win -- I think that's the best way to describe it."
Skinner's was the third special teams goal for the Hurricanes after Brandon Sutter and Tim Brent both scored shorthanded earlier in the game. Jay Harrison also scored and Cam Ward had 39 saves as Carolina won its second straight game after starting the season with three losses (0-2-1).
Carolina is starting 2011-12 by playing six of eight games on the road. Tonight's tilt is the second stop on a four-game road trip for the Hurricanes, who are 1-1-1 as the guest this season.
On the injury front, centerman Zac Dalpe is expected to miss tonight's game for Carolina with a lower body injury. For the Bruins, forward David Krejci (abdominal) is doubtful for tonight and defenseman Adam McQuaid (head) is questionable.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.