Hurricanes at Bruins
Boston fans will get their first in-person look at Rick Nash when the Bruins open a six-game homestand against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Boston traded three players and two draft picks to the New York Rangers in exchange for Nash, who made his Bruins debut in a 4-1 loss at Buffalo on Sunday just hours after the deal was completed.
"He did as advertised to me. He wins pucks, he got to the net, he got his shot off. He's strong on it," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of Nash. "He'll be a welcome addition for us." Nash did see a rarity in his first game with Boston, which has lost back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 14-16 to drop behind Toronto into third place in the Atlantic Division. The Hurricanes are going through a rough time on and off the ice, losing five straight games to tumble into 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Carolina also is without co-captain Jordan Staal, who left the team to be with his wife following the death of their infant daughter.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Carolina, NESN (Boston)
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (27-25-10): Carolina has scored six goals during its five-game skid (0-4-1), but the only move the team made Monday was sending Josh Jooris to Pittsburgh for Greg McKegg in a swap of minor-league forwards. "We're not scoring enough," defenseman Justin Faulk said. "You're not going to win many games scoring one goal, as you can see right now. We're not winning, and we're not scoring." Coach Bill Peters said he is moving leading goal scorer Sebastian Aho, who has one assist during the slide, back to center.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (37-15-8): While Boston turned in a lackluster effort in Buffalo, Nash was solid in his first game in seven days, registering a team-high five shots on goal while playing alongside center David Krejci. "I had my legs. It was my first game in a week so I was a bit nervous," Nash said. "It's definitely been a couple of strange days not being able to play. But that's behind us and I'm happy to be a Bruin." Boston acquired Tommy Wingels from Chicago at Monday's trade deadline and also signed U.S. Olympic captain Brian Gionta.
OVERTIME
1. Bruins C Patrice Bergeron scored four goals versus Carolina on Jan. 6, but he was wearing a walking boot before Sunday's game.
2. The Hurricanes have failed on all 14 power-play chances during the 0-4-1 slide.
3. Bruins G Tuukka Rask is 7-3-3 with a 1.89 goals-against average versus the Hurricanes.