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The Carolina Hurricanes took a 2-0 first round series lead over the Boston Bruins, picking up a 5-2 win tonight in Game 2.
Once again the Bruins came out stronger than the Hurricanes, generating more chances early. Then a collision between David Pastrnak and Antti Raanta sent Raanta out of the game, with Pyotr Kochetkov being forced into action. Pastrnak extended his arm towards Raanta on the play and it was avoidable contact. Carolina struck first though, with Jesper Fast scoring off a nice one-timer pass from Jordan Staal. Then later in the period, Sebastian Aho deflected in a point shot from Tony DeAngelo, increasing the lead. The first period ended with a couple scrums, as the Hurricanes took a 2-0 lead to intermission.
Carolina started the second period with a power play and managed to capitalize, with Aho scoring only a minute into the period, wiring a one-timer past Linus Ullmark. Patrice Bergeron got the Bruins on the board on a power play with only five minutes to go in the frame, but Nino Niederreiter poked a puck in on another power play to make it a 4-1 game.
Bergeron did pull the Bruins back to within two goals again in the third period and then Boston pressed late, outshooting the Hurricanes 17-9 in the final frame. However, Niederreiter iced it with an empty net goal in the final minute, securing a 5-2 win.
It was a really chippy, physical game, but Carolina did a good job letting the Bruins take the bulk of the penalties. The Hurricanes had a ridiculous nine power plays, compared to five for the Bruins.
It was really not good to see Raanta go down and leave the game, but Pyotr Kochetkov was really solid for the Hurricanes upon being called into action. Kochetkov stopped 30 of 32 shots and if he needs to make more starts in the postseason, he can be trusted in goal.
It’s a key win for the Hurricanes to keep control of their home ice advantage, and they now go back to Boston with a chance to steal a game on the road and take a huge hold of the series.
Game 3 takes place on Friday in Boston.
QuizWiz
OTHER ARTICLES FROM MAY
Playoff Preview: Hurricanes vs. Bruins
Antti Raanta shines as Hurricanes beat Bruins 5-1 in Game 1
Hurricanes sign Alexander Pashin 
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