Bruins Given -310 Odds to Advance to Stanley Cup Final After Defeating Hurricanes in Game 1

• The Boston Bruins downed the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final
• Sportsbooks give Boston -310 odds to advance to the Stanley Cup final
• The Bruins have not lost in the conference final since 1991-92

The Boston Bruins rallied for a solid 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes to open the NHL Eastern Conference final. Boston scored four third-period goals to overcome a 2-1 Hurricanes advantage.

Sportsbooks already liked the Bruins to win this series and advance to the Stanley Cup final for the third time since 2010-11. The odds of the B’s winning this round from -145 to -310 after Game 1.

Updated Hurricanes vs Bruins Series Price

*Odds taken 05/10/19

Boston has a strong track record in this spot, for what it’s worth. The Bruins have won three of four previous playoff series from the Hurricanes franchise, while

Bruins Leave Canes In Ruins

Boston began to turn the tide against Carolina in the second period. Then they stormed the Hurricanes in the final frame, though did get the benefit of some questionable penalty calls.

The Bruins not only weathered the one-game suspension of defenseman Charlie McAvoy, they benefited from the exchange. Steven Kampfer, McAvoy’s replacement, opened the scoring.

Brad Marchand collected two assists to improve to a playoff-leading 15 points. Conn Smythe Trophy-favorite Tuukka Rask stopped 29 shots and allowed two goals or fewer for the eighth time in 10 games.

Stay Out of the Box

The Game 1 setback halted Carolina’s six-game win streak. The Hurricanes strayed from the formula that’s worked for them in the playoffs, taking too many penalties and paying the price for it.

Trailing 2-1 in the third period, Boston got power-play goals form Marcus Johansson and Patrice Bergeron just 28 seconds apart to re-take the lead for good.

Patrice Bergeron of the @NHLBruins netted his fifth power-play goal of the 2019 #StanleyCup Playoffs, marking the most by a Boston player since Cam Neely established a franchise high and matched Mike Bossy’s NHL record with nine in 1991. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/wiXK80PTmz

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 10, 2019

That said, the second penalty to Dougie Hamilton was a completely phantom call.

During the playoffs, Carolina has scored an NHL-best 27 goals at five-on-five.  The Hurricanes are winless (0-2) when surrendering more than one power-play goal in a game. The Bruins are unbeaten (4-0) when scoring more than one power-play goal in a game.

Boston Too Strong

The Bruins have the experience edge, with six players who’ve won a Stanley Cup. Three players – captain Zdeno Chara (173), Bergeron (126) and David Krejci (122) – have played over 100 career NHL playoff games and Marchand is at 98.

Rask has six career playoff shutouts. Carolina goalie Petr Mrazek has nine career playoff wins.

The Bruins have also displayed an ability to adapt as required to the situation in front of them. They overcame a highly-skilled, fast-paced Toronto team in Round 1. Boston then outslugged a physical Blue Jackets club in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Did You Know? Since the conference format was adopted during the 1981-82 season, teams that win Game 1 of the Conference Finals own an all-time series record of 46-26 (63.9%). pic.twitter.com/J9UV1QKj29

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 10, 2019

Carolina is a young, hungry team, but they don’t present any challenges Boston can’t handle and they are now squarely behind the eight-ball. Throw in the best goalie still playing in the postseason and the Bruins are poised to move onto their third Stanley Cup final in the last decade.