BOSTON — Bruins forward Marc Savard was on the ice at TD Banknorth Garden today for the morning skate before Game 7.

Savard went knee-to-knee with the Canes' Chad LaRose in Game 6 in Raleigh, had to be helped to the bench and left the game. Bruins' coach Claude Julien said after the game that it was precautionary and that Savard would play Game 7.

Canes coach Paul Maurice said there could be an adjustment on defense and with the lines for Game 7 against the Bruins.

What adjustments, exactly? Maurice wouldn't go that far today, but it may be a safe bet that defenseman Frantisek Kaberle may be back the lineup, possibly for Anton Babchuk.

Kaberle has not played in the Boston series, but Maurice has noted that he has more big-game experience. A member of the 2006 Stanley Cup champs, Kaberle had the winning goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals against Edmonton.

Staff photo by Robert Willett

• Photo gallery: Bruins 4, Canes 2

• First Look: See 378 raw images from Game 6

 RALEIGH — It's going to take seven.

The Carolina Hurricanes failed for the second straight game to win its series against the Boston Bruins and now face another Game 7 on the road.

Sergei Samsonov gave the Hurricanes a little hope at 7:20 in the third period, cutting the Bruins lead to 4-2 on a rebound in front of the crease after Joe Corvo fired. But for the most part, it was all Bruins.

Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward said the Hurricanes' explanation of the Scott Walker punch was a "convenient excuse" that the NHL accepted in fining but not suspending Walker.

"If you, the media, accept that you're a bunch of sheep," Ward said today after the Bruins' morning skate. "... It just allows people to get off scot-free."

Hurricanes' general manager Jim Rutherford said Monday that Walker was coming to the "aid of a teammate" — Matt Cullen, who was shoved and hit by Ward — when he punched Ward in the face. Rutherford noted that during the series several Carolina players had been hit after the whistles and that at some point someone on the Canes would hit back.

"I know Jimmy is a pretty staunch Republican. I didn't know he brought Karl Rove in here to spin it for him," Ward said.

The Canes' Scott Walker didn't go from the ice to the treatment room after the morning skate today, hiding out until the media departed the locker room.

Walker stood in front of his locker, patiently answering every question about the punch he threw at the Bruins' Aaron Ward in Game 5, the one that resulted in a $2,500 fine — but no suspension — from the NHL.

"I was trying to defend a teammate. It's unfortunate what happened," he said. "I haven't been known to hit somebody without their gloves on.

"The way he was, I thought there was a fight and there wasn't apparently. So I'll pay my fine and I accept the punishment."

Canes forward Ryan Bayda was at the morning skate today at the RBC Center but defenseman Joni Pitkanen was not.

UPDATE: Coach Paul Maurice said Pitkanen would play tonight in Game 6.

Bayda missed Games 4 and 5 with the stomach flu.

"It was tough having to watch," Bayda said. "But I feel fine and I'm ready to go."

Hurricanes forward Scott Walker has been fined $2,500 for his altercation with Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward but will not be suspended, Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said today.

Walker hit Ward with a punch with 2:47 left in the Canes' 4-0 loss to the Bruins on Sunday in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series and was automatically suspended.  A hearing with the league was held today.

"We are satisfied with the  ruling," Rutherford said in an interview. "Based on how the series has gone and the amount of punches our players have taken after the whistle, at some point you would expect someone to get it back. That's what happened."

1:55 p.m. UPDATE: Scott Walker has been fined but not suspended by the NHL.

Hurricanes forward Scott Walker has been suspended by the NHL for punching Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward in Game 5 Sunday in Boston, general manager Jim Rutherford said today.

Rutherford said a hearing with Colin Campbell, NHL senior vice president and director of hockey operations, has been set for 12:30 p.m. today. If the one-game suspension is upheld, Walker will not play in Game 6 on Tuesday.

Everyone knows the situation for the Canes. After three straight wins to take a 3-1 lead over the Bruins in the Eastern Conference semifinal, the Canes were beaten 4-0 in Game 5.

The Canes' Jussi Jokinen said the pressure in Game 6 will be equal for both teams. The B's must win, and the Canes must win to avoid a third trip to Boston for Game 7.

Question: Will the series be decided in Game 6?

That is, either the Canes win and finish it off or the Bruins, with all the momentum, go back to Boston and finish it off. Will Tuesday's game be the Canes' last, best chance?

The floor is open.