Bruins are embarrassed by hurricanes on the road

Jim Montgomery unveiled a new lineup for the holiday contest, but it was the same old story for a team that couldn't hide its problems.

Boston was called for five minor plays in the first 40 minutes and Carolina capitalized on three power play goals.

The first 20 minutes felt more like 20 hours of waiting at the airport for a delayed flight for this beleaguered Bruins squad.

When will the misery end?

Boston (4-6-1) suffered from the problems of the season: a lack of connectivity and opportunities, as well as too much time in the penalty box.

Carolina took a 4-1 lead after the first game as the Bruins' new-look lineup played much like its predecessors.

Johnny Beecher fended off Hurricanes goalkeeper Pyotr Kochetkov and was about to head to the box when the hosts struck for the first time with the extra attacker.

Sebastian Aho worked the puck behind the net with a pass to Andrei Svechnikov, who fed a free Jack Roslovic, who snatched it out of the slot under Jeremy Swayman's blocker for a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins capitalized on some of the Hurricanes' misdeeds (Jesperi Kotkaniemi's double minor to Max Jones and Jalen Chatfield's interference on Brad Marchand) and went 1-for-12 from five-on-three.

Marchand provided a thrill when his central pass bounced off Jaccob Slavin's ankle and past Kochetkov for the equalizer.

Boston again conceded five on three when Martin Necas was cited for unsportsmanlike conduct (Chatfield was still in jail), but couldn't beat Kochetkov.

The Hurricanes (7-2-0) then went on a 52-second, three-goal blitz that took the wind out of the Bruins' sails, including two power-play pops.

With Cole Koepke in the field (interference), Svechnikov redirected a shot from Shayne Gostisbehere past Swayman upfield to make the score 17:14.

Just 38 seconds later, the hosts made it 3-1 when Dmitry Orlov, playing in his 800th NHL game, scored his second goal of the season – and the 72nd of his career.

Nikita Zadorov was spun around and fell, allowing William Carrier to retrieve the puck from where Orlov, who was behind him, had shot it into the goal.

Necas capped the carnage when his somersault toward the net clattered off Brandon Carlos' skate and past Swayman for a 4-1 lead.

The Bruins showed some signs of life early in the second period after converting Mason Lohrei's goalie interference penalty.

A couple of big hits (Zadorov slammed Kotkaniemi to the ice and Jones overran Necas in the slot) provided Hampus Lindholm's second goal of the season, shortening the game to 4-2.

Carolina quickly quelled the rebellion with two more goals in less than a minute.

After Beecher was sent off for a high stick, Svechnikov scored his second goal of the game by sinking his own rebound under Swayman's pads at 8:51.

Next it was Roslovic's turn to score his second goal.

After Jordan passed Martinook and beat Lohrei to the puck behind the Boston net, he passed to Roslovic in the slot and the winger roofed the ball for a 6-2 lead.

That was the end of the night for Swayman, who gave way to Joonas Korpisalo.

Lindholm appeared to score his second goal of the night, but it was canceled when the referees deemed that Elias Lindholm had entered Kochetkov's goal area.

Jim McBride can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @globejimmcbride.