DeBrusk, Bruins rally in 3rd to beat Hurricanes 4-3

Associated Press
Monday, Aug. 17, 2020 11:22 p.m. | Monday, Aug. 17, 2020 11:22 p.m.

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The Canadian Press

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save on a shot from Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) as Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) looks on Monday during first-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto.

The Canadian Press

Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas (88) is stopped by Boston Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak (41) during second-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.

The Canadian Press

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) is knocked to the ice by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) after the whistle during first-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.

The Canadian Press

Boston Bruins right wing Ondrej Kase (28) gets stopped by Carolina Hurricanes goaltender James Reimer (47) during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series in Toronto on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.

The Canadian Press

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender James Reimer (47) watches the puck as Boston Bruins center Joakim Nordstrom (20) attempts a wraparound during first-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.

The Canadian Press

Carolina Hurricanes center Ryan Dzingel (18) watches the puck sail past Boston Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak (41) during first-period NHL Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.

TORONTO — Jake DeBrusk scored twice in Boston’s dominating third period to help the Bruins rally and beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on Monday to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Brad Marchand and Connor Clifton also scored in the third, helping Boston erase a 2-0 deficit entering the period. It was a stunning turnaround — complete with the Bruins taking a 16-2 edge in shots on goal in those final 20 minutes — that now has Boston within a win of advancing in a series that looked headed for a 2-2 tie.

Game 5 is Wednesday, with the Bruins having the chance to eliminate the Hurricanes from the Stanley Cup playoffs again after sweeping Carolina in last year’s Eastern Conference finals.

Justin Williams and Jordan Martinook scored to give Carolina the 2-0 lead before the Bruins ran off four straight goals, while Teuvo Teravainen added a goal at 18:33 of the third to bring Carolina within one.

James Reimer made his second start of the series in net for the Hurricanes after Petr Mrazek had started Games 1 and 3, shutting out the Bruins for two period before faltering as Boston took over by relentlessly keeping the puck in the offensive zone. He finished with 29 saves.

Jaroslav Halak finished with 16 saves, though the Bruins made it easy on him in the third by not surrendering a shot until Teravainen’s late goal.

NOTES: David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist in Boston’s double-overtime win in Game 1, but hasn’t played since. He had 48 regular-season goals to tie Washington’s Alex Ovechkin for the league lead. … DeBrusk scored his 12th and 13th playoff goals since his 2018 postseason debut. … The Hurricanes were also without D Joel Edmundson for the third straight game. … Jake Gardiner assisted on Williams’ first-period goal for his first postseason point with Carolina.