Hurricanes trying to keep Bruins in suspense on Game 3 goalie
Down 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals, Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour is remaining coy on who’ll start in goal for Game 3.
The Carolina Hurricanes have been humbled in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, as they’ve been outscored 11-4 by the Boston Bruins. So there’s some question about who the starting goaltender will be for Game 3 back in Raleigh Tuesday night, with a hint that a change would be made as the magic wears off Petr Mrazek.
On Tuesday morning, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said a decision on who the Game 3 starter in goal will be has been made. But who will it be? No way he’s saying anything publicly, and letting the Bruins know as a result.
Via Dan Rosen of NHL.com:
“I can’t be that guy that does that, right? I know who we’re starting, but I guess you’ll have to wait and see. Sorry,” Brind’Amour said.
To be fair, after Mrazek left Game 2 with a lower body injury, Curtis McElhinney stopped 71 of 75 shots (.947 save percentage, 1.56 goals against-average) over the remainder of Carolina’s second round series against the New York Islanders. But Game 3 of that series was the first playoff start of his career, and McElhinney will have a hard time maintaining the level he showed over those two-plus games.
Somewhere between where Mrazek was in six full games prior to his injury (.929 save percentage, two shutouts, 1.83 GAA) and his dismal run over the last two games (10 goals allowed on 52 shots) is where he should settle in. But Game 3 back at home is a must-win for the Hurricanes, and a bad start between the pipes is not an option as they try to solve Tuukka Rask at the other end.
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The Bruins will be entering a tough road environment Tuesday night, as much as a veteran-laden team will be rattled by that. But Brind’Amour’s choice of starting goaltender for Game 3 is absolutely inconsequential outside of Carolina’s dressing room. And when it comes down to it, it’s probably inconsequential for most of the players in there too.