Cam Ward should be seeing plenty of pucks throughout the series. (Bill Kostroun/AP)

The Hurricanes enter TD Banknorth Garden tonight as a confident bunch, coming off a late-game rally against New Jersey and Martin Brodeur three nights ago.

Carolina is a go-go team backstopped by a ring-winning goalie in Cam Ward. On defense, the Hurricanes like to get the puck up to the attack, join the rush, and pinch at the points. The Bruins will have to be stout in the neutral zone and be committed to backchecking to slow down the fast-moving Hurricanes.

Here's a breakdown of the players who should be in the lineup tonight:

Cam Ward

Ring-winner who backstopped the Hurricanes to their 2006 title... Positionally sound and technically proficient... Isn't flashy and doesn't go for the big saves... Calm, cool, composed.

Dennis Seidenberg

Defense-first defenseman but can move the puck and join the rush... Teams with Joni Pitkanen to form a solid puck-moving pair... Absorbed the hit by Patrice Bergeron during the regular season that left the center with a concussion.

Tim Gleason

Tough-as-nails defenseman who can play a nasty game... Dispatched Milan Lucic during a fight last season... Stays at home when partner Joe Corvo jumps in the play, which is quite often.

Niclas Wallin

Wide-shouldered defenseman who takes the least risks of the Carolina D-men... Stay-at-homer, but not the bruising shutdown type... Didn't have any points in the first round.

Matt Cullen

Underrated No. 2 center who can play both ways... Will be asked to take on the offensive load with Zdeno Chara matched against Eric Staal... Clever and skilled.

Eric Staal

Carolina's best player and a franchise centerman... Big frame but can move well for his size... Tough in the dirty areas... Will be seeing a whole lot of Chara throughout the series.

Ray Whitney

Highly skilled wing who is as tough as he is smart... Led the Hurricanes in scoring during the regular season... Isn't afraid to go to the danger areas to score.

Sergei Samsonov

Ex-Bruin who's up to his old tricks in Raleigh, using his skating and puckhandling abilities to put defensemen on their heels... Was limited to one assist in the first round... Often runs out of time and space when he tries to do too much with the puck.

Tuomo Ruutu

Feisty Finn who plays bigger than his size... Skilled as well as gritty... Will be counted on to increase his offensive responsibilities.

Rod Brind'Amour

Ageless Carolina captain who is heart and soul of team... Had a rotten year defensively but excelled on the draw... Character player respected around the league.

Ryan Bayda

Energy wing... Potted two goals in the first round... Fearless and feisty on the forecheck.

Scott Walker

Hard-nosed veteran with tons of grit and character... Playing on the fourth line and serving as a leader in a limited role... Won't back down from anyone.

Joni Pitkanen

Probably the most well-rounded defenseman on the blue line... Highly skilled and can jump up in the play... Is tough in his own zone.

Erik Cole

Big wing re-acquired by Carolina from Edmonton at the trade deadline... Has been disappointing (0-0--0) in the playoffs... Tough wing with touch and wheels.

Jussi Jokinen

As skilled a fourth-line center as you'll find in the postseason... Scored the tying goal in Game 7 to set up Staal's winner.

Patrick Eaves

Former Boston College star... A stud in college but projecting to be a bottom-six wing as a pro... Not afraid to bang bodies.

Chad LaRose

First-line right wing who relies on grit and wheels to get his game going... Has seven points so far in the playoff, proving to be a big-time player.

Joe Corvo

The most offensive-minded of Carolina's defensemen... A high-level skater with hands and vision... Might be too risky at times.