Boston Bruins Struggle With Hurricanes Forecheck

The Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins are all even in their First Round series after the Hurricanes took a 3-2 decision in Game 2 on Thursday night. The Hurricanes outlasted the Bruins in Game 2, grinding them down in the second half of the contest. A big reason for Carolina’s success? Their aggressive forecheck was able to get to work, unlike in Game 1.

Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk battled said forecheck all night long. He addressed it following the loss on Thursday night.

“Yeah, for sure. I think that that’s kind of what their team is predicated on and like Brad said, they work really hard. They kind of feed off that from their coach and we knew that going in,” Grzelcyk said postgame. “I think it’s on us, especially defenseman, to try to move it to the first guy who is available and get out of our zone cleanly.”

The Bruins failed to get the puck out of the zone on all three Hurricanes goals in Game 2. Carolina was able to win battles and force turnovers, leading to scoring chances and eventually goals. That’s not a surprise to Grzelcyk or anyone else in the Bruins locker room.

“But they’re a good team and they’re going to forecheck hard and mistakes are going to happen,” Grzelcyk continued. “It’s on us to make sure we’re in a good spot defensively to try to limit those chances and I think we best beat that by just moving it quick and moving our feet up ice.”

The Bruins won’t have long to wait to try and solve the Hurricanes forecheck. Game 3 of the series is tomorrow at 12:00 pm on NBC.