The Carolina Hurricanes bested the Boston Bruins in overtime with a 3-2 win Thursday at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It was the first win of a five game road trip for the Canes.
The Canes (31-26-11) made three shots on goal before scoring in overtime against the Bruins (38-23-8). Jeff Skinner made a breakaway from the bench into the Bruins’ zone and took the shot. Phillip Di Giuseppe picked it up after Boston saved and Giuseppe was able to put it in for the win.
“I saw [Skinner] going down on a little breakaway there and just in case he missed I was going to clean up the garbage,” Di Giuseppe said. “So, I got lucky. It came right to me, and I took a whack at it.”
It was Giuseppe’s fifth goal of the season.
Noah Hanifin assisted on the game winning goal and made his NHL debut in the game. Hanifin grew up in Massachusetts and played for Boston College.
“It was my first game here in the NHL and just to be able to get out there and get a win in front of all my family and friends, it was definitely a really cool experience,” Hanifin said.
Elias Lindholm scored his ninth goal of the season early in the first period to put the Hurricanes up. The power-play goal was essential as the Canes didn’t put another shot on goal for 13 minutes of play. The Bruins outshot the Canes 8-5 in the first period but were unable to score until the second period.
Loui Eriksson of the Bruins tied the score at one on a power play after a cross-ice pass from teammate Patrice Bergeron. Nathan Gerbe scored the second goal off a rebound from Chris Terry. The Hurricanes led 2-1 going into the third period.
Boston tied again when David Pastrnak snuck one past Ward in the third period despite an increase of shots on goal by the Canes.
“There was a stretch there where we weren’t heavy enough on the forecheck or strong enough in the zone or on the puck,” Carolina coach Bill Peters said. “Once we got a little more committed by a group of 12 forwards, then the tide turned a little bit, especially in the third period.”
Carolina is four points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. The Red Wings also won Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
Next up on the road for the Hurricanes is a visit to Buffalo to play the Sabres.
