For much of Game 4, the Bruins trailed the Hurricanes and seemed to get nothing going. Then a funky Jake DeBrusk goal almost seemed to plug in the Presidents’ Trophy-winning version of these Bruins. After a stunning third period, the Bruins turned Game 4 on its head from a 2-0 deficit to a 4-3 win, pushing the Hurricanes to the brink of elimination.
Bruins explode during third period to beat Hurricanes in Game 4
A staggering series of scores began with a stunning goal.
Out of seemingly nowhere, Jake DeBrusk burned Haydn Fleury and avoided a sprawling James Reimer to give the Bruins a chance in the third period, shrinking the Hurricanes’ lead to 2-1. Midway through the third, Connor Clifton scored a 2-2 goal.
If you were thinking the Bruins might push this to overtime ... well, the Bruins wouldn’t settle for that.
Torey Krug made an absolutely brilliant bounce back to Brad Marchand, who beautifully finished a go-ahead 3-2 goal. Not long after, DeBrusk scored his second goal of Game 4 by forcing his way to the net.
The Bruins turned Game 4 on its head by scoring three goals in 4:14 of game time, and four over 7:09.
It’s fair to question how much of the Bruins’ comeback hinged on that staggering push, and how much might be pinned on the Hurricanes sitting back. Carolina failed to register a shot on goal for most of the third period. Maybe most fittingly for those questions, the Hurricanes scored on one of just two SOG during that final frame, making it 4-3 late in Game 4.
The Hurricanes didn’t have enough juice to push Game 4 into overtime from there, and now they must gather themselves as they stunningly face elimination.
No. 4 Boston Bruins vs. No. 5 Carolina Hurricanes (BOS leads 3-1)
Wednesday, Aug. 12: Bruins 4, Hurricanes 3 (2OT) (recap)
Thursday, Aug. 13: Hurricanes 3, Bruins 2 (recap)
Saturday, Aug. 15: Bruins 3, Hurricanes 1 (recap)
Monday, Aug. 17: Bruins 4, Hurricanes 3
Wednesday, Aug. 19: Carolina at Boston, 4 p.m. ET - NBCSN
*Thursday, Aug. 20: Boston at Carolina – TBD
*Sunday, Aug. 23: Carolina at Boston – TBD
*if necessary
MORE:
• Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round schedule
—
James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.