ECF Game 2 Preview: Projected Lines, Previews, Injuries

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night started off with a bang. Boston took advantage of Carolina’s undisciplined play in the third period to capture Game 1 by a score of 5-2. The Boston Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final Sunday at 3 p.m. With so much on the line, expect Game 2 to be a more physical game.

Charlie McAvoy, who missed Game 1 because of a suspension, will return to the lineup for the Bruins. Steven Kampfer, who had a monstrous Game 1, comes out for Boston. No other roster changes on the Boston Bruins end. McAVoy adds a different element to the Bruins lineup. He has the ability to move the puck quickly out of the zone. Carolina may not have the ability to gets pucks deep on the Bruins top defensive pair.

Boston Bruins Expected Lineup for Game 2: 

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak

DeBrusk-Krejci-Backes

Johansson-Coyle-Heinen

Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner

Chara-McAvoy

Krug-Carlo

Grzelcyk-Clifton

Rask

Neither team hosted a morning skate on Sunday. Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour met the media prior to Game 2. “There will be no lineup changes.” That means Petr Mrazek will get the start against Tuukka Rask. Jordan Martinook did not practice on Saturday afternoon. Martinook is a game-time decision for Carolina. Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour expects Martinook to play.

Carolina Hurricanes Expected Lineup for Game 2: 

Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Teuvo Teravainen

Nino Niederreiter — Jordan Staal — Justin Williams

Warren Foegele — Lucas Wallmark — Brock McGinn

Jordan Martinook— Greg McKegg — Micheal Ferland

Jaccob Slavin — Dougie Hamilton

Brett Pesce — Justin Faulk

Haydn Fleury — Calvin de Haan

Petr Mrazek

Curtis McElhinney

Boston should expect to have more fight from the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2. Carolina will try to make life miserable in front of Tuukka Rask. “We’re gonna have to make it uncomfortable for (Tuukka Rask),” said Justin Williams as he met with the media prior to the start of Game 2.

Both teams expected have the belief they can win every game as Justin Williams noted. “We expect to win every game and I’m sure Boston expects to win every game. Only one team can win. We hope we can win today.”

Game 1 saw Carolina dominate for two periods before the Bruins took over in the third period. While Boston got the win in Game 1, head coach Bruce Cassidy was not happy with his team’s performance. Both will want to improve on their Game 1 performances. Expect the Bruins to come out with the same fight as Carolina.

Injuries: 

Boston: 

Noel Acciari (upper-body), Kevan Miller (lower, body) out the rest of the playoffs.

Carolina: 

Saku Maenalenen (upper body), Trevor van Riemsdyk (upper body) out the rest of the playoffs.

Patrick Brown and Jake Bean are both healthy scratches.

Read More: 

Behind Enemy Lines: Adjustments Boston Must Prepare For