1) More Special Teams Struggles
After going 0/5 on the man advantage in both of the previous games at TD Garden this series, Carolina went 1/6 in their return trip.
The lone power play tally came during the garbage minutes of the contest, with Andrei Svechnikov finding the back of the net when the game was already out of reach for Carolina, just 2:30 shy of the final horn.
What transpired in the first four attempts of the evening was what will haunt the team, going 0/4 during a pivotal stretch in the contest. After a strong opening 20 minutes, Boston's Brad Marchand struck just 46 seconds into the middle frame. But then, over the next 9:50 of play, the Bruins took four penalties, providing the visiting side with more than enough opportunities to at minimum tie the contest.
Including a 54 second five-on-three attempt, a lack of urgency and execution left Carolina with a zero beside their name on the scoreboard and the momentum shifting back to the opposition.
2:08 after Boston's fourth consecutive kill, they bolstered their lead to a pair with a special teams goal of their own, ending a crucial portion of the outing in their favor.
2) Mental Lapses
In addition to another difficult night on special teams, Carolina also made several uncharacteristic errors over the course of the evening that resulted in Boston goals.
The team finished with ten giveaways over 60 minutes, with both the Bruins first and third goals coming with aid from the Canes side.
3) Another Strong Night For Raanta
Don't let the score fool you, if not for Antti Raanta, the final result could have been 7-2 or 8-2, Boston.
The netminder made several timely stops and received a multitude of praise from teammates and Rod Brind'Amour and for his efforts.
Celebrating his 33rd birthday, Raanta stopped 29 of 33 over the course of the evening, including a breakaway denial on Craig Smith in the third.
