The series between the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes was pushed to the limit on Thursday night, thanks to a 5-2 Game 6 victory for the local favorites at TD Garden.
Home-ice advantage plays a big part in this matchup, with both teams winning every time they play in front of their fans. It was no different in this sixth duel, although the “Oursons” faced elimination for the first time.
Brad Marchand opened the scoring 46 seconds into the second period by beating Antti Raanta with a shot to the top. Before the end of the engagement, Charlie Coyle doubled the Bruins lead on the power play.
Andrei Svechnikov closed the gap early in the third, but that’s when the home team’s support staff took charge. Erik Haula first sparked the lantern by deflecting a Charlie McAvoy shot, then defender Derek Forbort threaded the needle taking advantage of heavy traffic past Raanta.
Curtis Lazar added the finishing touch with just over four minutes left in the game. For the last three Bruins scorers, it was each time their first playoff goal this year.
Svechnikov netted a second before the final whistle, but it was too little too late.
For the Bruins, defenseman Hampus Lindholm returned to the game, he who had injured his upper body on contact with Svechnikov during the second game. The 28-year-old Swede played alongside Charlie McAvoy in the first pair of backs and was the most-used player on both sides, spending 24:48 on the ice.
Game number 7, at the PNC Arena, will take place on Saturday.
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