It was a power play effort in the third period to give the Bruins a 4-1 lead in a game they would eventually prevail by a 4-2 count. Hall had only three goals in the Stanley Cup playoffs last season over 11 games so his two goals in three contests this season is more like the scoring they expect out of the former Hart Trophy winner. Game 4 goes Sunday in Boston with Carolina up 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Hall made the game interesting, as his goal cut Carolina’s advantage to 2-1 early in the third period. The Bruins forward had just three goals in 11 playoff games last season, so it’s good to see him on the board this early. The Bruins will look to even up this best-of-seven series on Wednesday night in Carolina. 

Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Erik Haula, Matt Grzelcyk, Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm will be rested as well by the Bruins prior to the start of the playoffs. 

It helps that the Bruins earned a 4-2 victory against the Eastern Conference leading Florida Panthers on Tuesday. "We've done a really good job (against these high-scoring teams). That's the identity I talk about," Bruins forward Taylor Hall said. "As we go into the playoffs, whoever we play -- Carolina is really good offensively, they generate a lot of chances with speed and forechecking. Florida is more of a rush team. New York is good in the zone and moves pucks quickly. Whoever it is, we'll have to be good defensively, and that's our identity. It's not something we have to change or do anything different. We just have to play that structure well. It's fun shutting down other teams, especially our line. We're an offensive line, but when we're good in our end, the sky is the limit. I feel like our whole team buys into that." Although the Bruins' first round opponent hasn't been decided yet, their most probable matchup will be against Carolina. They beat the Hurricanes in five games in the 2020 playoffs and in the Conference Final in 2019.