The Hurricanes trail the best-of-7 series 3-0 and would be eliminated with a loss.
RELATED: [Full Bruins vs. Hurricanes series coverage]
McElhinney made 29 saves in a 2-1, Game 3 loss Tuesday in his first start since the second round, when he replaced injured Petr Mrazek during the second period of Game 2 against the New York Islanders. McElhinney made 17 saves to allow Carolina to rally for a 2-1 win before winning Games 3 and 4 in the sweep of the Islanders (each 5-2).
He was replaced by Mrazek, deemed healthy after missing 11 days with a lower-body injury, for Game 1 of the conference final. Mrazek lost the first two games, allowing 10 goals on 52 shots (an .808 save percentage), and McElhinney started Game 3.
McElhinney, who was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 2, allowed two goals: one on a tap-in by forward Chris Wagner at 1:21 of the second period and one on the power play by forward Brad Marchand 5:07 later.
In four games in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, McElhinney is 3-1 with a 1.70 goals-against average and .943 save percentage. Mrazek is 5-5 with a 2.73 GAA, an .894 save percentage and two shutouts in 11 games.
"They are different styles of goalies," Carolina defenseman Calvin de Haan said. "They have been really good for us this year and they definitely helped us get us into a playoff spot and into a good position. Can] only say good things about them."
Teams that trail a best-of-7 NHL playoff series 3-0 are 4-189.
"We are in the situation we're in and it's just about coming out on Thursday and getting those two points for that game and moving forward," McElhinney said Tuesday.
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