Bruins Beat Hurricanes 5-2 In Game 1 Of ECFs, Erupt For Four Goals In Third

The Bruins started off the Eastern Conference Finals just how they wanted, beating the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 in Game 1 on Thursday night at TD Garden.

Trailing 2-1 entering the third, the Bruins capitalized on two power-play chances to take a 3-2 lead less than three minutes into the period, as Marcus Johansson (3rd of playoffs, 2:26) and Patrice Bergeron (6th, 2:54) each found the back of the net.

Charlie Coyle's (6th) empty-netter with 2:13 remaining sealed it, while Chris Wagner (1st) scored an unassisted goal off a takeaway 11 seconds later, this time with Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek (23 saves on 27 shots) back in net.

Steven Kampfer, filling in the for suspended Charlie McAvoy on defense, kickstarted the Bruins' offense in the game. Playing in just his second career NHL postseason game (April 15 at Toronto), Kampfer opened the scoring just 2:55 into the contest, wristing a shot past Mrazek off a gorgeous backhand assist by Johansson:

Marcus Johansson was a monster on this sequence.

And Steven Kampfer lights the lamp in just his second career playoff game. pic.twitter.com/cvzr9Qit9R

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 10, 2019

The goal was Kampfer's first of his playoff career.

Steven Kampfer appeared in 38 games with the Bruins in 2010-11 as a 22-year-old rookie.

A depth piece in the B's run to the Cup, he didn't appear in a single playoff game.

8 years later, he scores for the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final — in his second playoff game. pic.twitter.com/6W2itkky0A

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 10, 2019

Tuukka Rask made 29 saves on 31 shots, improving to 9-5 in the playoffs.

Boston hosts the Hurricanes for Game 2 today at 3 pm ET.