Saad, Canes end Bruins' 12-game win streak

RALEIGH, NC – As the Boston Bruins continue to add big name player after big name player to their lineup, it was beginning to look like they would never lose again. Yet, the daunting task of defeating the EHE's top team did not phase Carolina Hurricanes rookie netminder John Gibson. He made 17 saves as the Hurricanes walked away with a 3-2 win on Friday night and ended the Bruins' league-record 12-game winning streak.

Brandon Saad helped lead the comeback for the Hurricanes, who were down 2-1 after two periods, with a goal and assist in the third period.

The Hurricanes had held a slight advantage in shots on goal to that point -- 20 to 16 -- but in the third period, the Canes outshot the Bruins 11-3.

"We needed to step up, knowing who we were playing tonight," said Canes captain Joe Pavelski. "You'd like to see us play like that consistently, but it's a start."

"It's nice to get this one out of the way," Gibson said of earning his first NHL victory. "I'd be lying if I said that it hadn't been on my mind over the past few days."

Gibson had a rather inauspicious start after his callup from Charlotte of the AHL on December 23. After posting a 17-4-0 record, 1.96 goals-against average, and .934 save percentage with the Checkers, Gibson suffered losses in each of his first three starts with Carolina, allowing 10 goals in those games.

It was thought that Alex Stalock would get the start for the Hurricanes, but hours before the game began, head coach Lindy Ruff made the decision to go with Gibson instead.

"We thought it would be good to catch Gibby off guard with that," Ruff said after the game. "It's been in his head a bit -- the losing -- and we wanted to see if he could let his instincts kick in instead of maybe overpreparing for a big game like that."

Between Gibson and the Hurricanes defense, the Bruins' league-leading offense were held to just 19 shots. The team's leading goal-scorers Steven Stamkos, Tyler Seguin, Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone, and P.K. Subban were all held off the scoreboard.

"That team is so dangerous," said Carolina defenseman Duncan Keith. "Every time we play them, it seems like they've just been handed two or three good players without losing anyone from their actual team."

It was an uphill battle for the Canes early on. Bruins third-line center Antoine Vermette opened the scoring just 2:02 into the game on an early barrage against Gibson. Midway through the first period, Jay Beagle scored his 4th goal of the season on a rebound from a Justin Braun shot.

The Bruins came hard out of the gate to start the second, as Taylor Hall potted his 8th of the season just 5:28 in. However, it was the Hurricanes who seemed to gain momentum after the goal and the Bruins never recovered.

The Canes were flying in the third period and had Bruins goaltender Jake Allen under siege. Saad stuffed home a loose puck six minutes into the frame for his 14th and just two minutes later, Carl Hagelin took advantage of good puck movement to beat a helpless Allen.

More promise could be found in the next couple of games for the Hurricanes. The team will head to Music City on Saturday for a Sunday matinee against the Nashville Predators, who hold the second-worst home record in the league. The Canes then return home to host the struggling Buffalo Sabres, who have a league-high 15 road losses. They will then face the surging St. Louis Blues heading into the All-Star break.