Saturday Night Preview: Carolina @ Boston

Big Bad Blood

Tonight inside the TD Garden, the Bruins will try and seek revenge against the Canes'. Carolina also 0-1 returns to Boston after sucking the air out of the Garden in last season's game 7 victory, in the second round of the playoffs. Scott Walker was the right wing who netted the overtime goal that would crush Boston's dream of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. Walker, who is infamous for sucker-punching Aaron Ward in Game 5 with NO SUSPENSION, returns to the Hub alongside Ward sporting his new sweater. During the off-season, the Bruins snuck one by me by trading the hard-nosed defenseman to clear up cap space. Aaron Ward who played two and a half seasons for the Black & Gold will be missed for his defensive presence on the blue line and his willingness to do absolutely anything for his team.

The Hurricanes like Boston come back with almost the same roster but have added RW Tom Kostopoulous from Montreal, and former Bruins players Andrew Alberts, Stephen Yelle, and Aaron Ward. NHL All-Star Eric Staal will look to provide much of Carolina's offense. His supporting casts includes notable forwards Erik Cole, Jussi Jokinen, Matt Cullen, and another old friend Sergei Samsonov (1997 drafted by Bruins, 8th overall). A group of small crafty forwards whose job is to sneak around defensemen and score goals. Cam Ward will be in between the pipes again and looking to build on his legacy.

As for the Bruins, well the season opener did not go as planned but it's one game. Alexander Ovechkin netted two goals past Tim Thomas and added an assist in the 4-1 loss. Patrice Bergeron scored the B's only goal in the third. The Bruins looked great off the opening draw pressuring Washington in their zone time and time again. Putting the puck in the net was Boston's toughest challenge. The Caps out-shot the B's 34-20 with the Bruins having only three shots in the third period. Even on the power play with a man up, the Bruins were 0/5, not capitalizing on any man advantages.

But that was Thursday. Tonight is a new night and the Bruins are out for blood. I predict this game will be a high tempo game with a lot of hitting. These teams have created a rivalry and rivalries create great games. Note, both teams are looking to score tonight so both goaltenders must be on their games. I don't know if he forgives but he does not forget, Milan Lucic is going to be making plenty of noise tonight. Tim Thomas is looking to rebound from the teams first loss, look for him to be a 'brick wall' tonight. The defense knows that they are also at blame for some of the goals the other night and will have more poise inside of the defensive zone.

I could sense that centers, Marc Savard, David Krejci, and Bergeron were frustrated last game and I think that their passing will be more on point tonight. All three will be pressed by head coach Claude Julien to produce on the PP.