• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Bruins trying to end four-game slide

Dec 28, 2007 - 12:53 PM Boston (18-14-4) at Carolina (19-16-3) 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) - The Boston Bruins look to snap a four-game losing streak on Friday when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes.

Boston's recent struggles have been the result of a tough schedule.

The Bruins suffered a narrow one-goal loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Ottawa Senators to begin their slide on December 18. Boston then dropped a pair of games to reigning NHL MVP Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins sandwiched around a 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues, who have 39 points this season.

The Bruins' most recent loss - a 4-2 setback to Pittsburgh on Sunday - was their fifth in six games.

Goaltender Tim Thomas, who is winless in two starts since returning from a groin strain, was replaced by Alex Auld on Sunday.

Thomas was one of the NHL's top goaltenders before suffering the injury, which caused him to miss six games, and still leads the league with a .932 save percentage. The 33-year-old netminder is 10-8-3 this season with a 2.26 goals-against average.

The Hurricanes have won three of their last five games after a three-game losing streak earlier this month. But the team suffered a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers in their last game on Wednesday.

Carolina managed both of their goals on special teams during the loss, as Scott Walker logged a short-handed goal and Eric Staal added a power-play.