from Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com,

Petr Mrazek's joy at making a return from injury for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final was short-lived.

"I wish I could have won that game," the Carolina Hurricanes goalie said after a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Thursday.

Mrazek made 23 saves in his first game since April 28, when he sustained a lower-body injury during the second period of Game 2 of the second round against the New York Islanders.

The Hurricanes did not announce who would be the starter until minutes before the game, when Mrazek led the team out for warmup. Curtis McElhinney, who finished the game in which McElhinney was injured, making 17 saves in a 2-1 win, started and won Game 3 and Game 4 (each 5-2) to sweep the best-of-7 series.

"I don't think it was difficult to come back," Mrazek said. "It was [10 days] to be out, so it wasn't a longer period. I felt good right away and couldn't complain."

At the time of the injury, Mrazek thought his absence could have been longer.

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