The Boston Bruins and their fans have seen this script before. Just last year the Bruins had the same commanding 3-0 lead against these very same Philadelphia Flyers. Despite the major advantage, the Bruins managed to do the unthinkable as they blew the lead and lost four straight games to lose the series.
This year the Bruins and their fans hope that history will be learned from rather than repeated. One thing in their favor: Tim Thomas. The Boston goaltender has been absolutely dominant in not only this series, but throughout the entire postseason. He has compiled a ridiculous .935 save percentage while holding opponents to a stingy 2.13 GAA in the playoffs. Conversely, the Philly net has played host to a carousel of Flyer goalies, none of which have provided Philadelphia with the production that the one goalie on the other end of the ice has delivered.
Surprisingly, the Bruins dominance has not resided solely in their goaltending. Boston has outscored Philly 15-6 through the first three games of this series. Perhaps the biggest factor for this offensive efficiency can be attributed to a healthy David Krejci. His absence last year was a huge blow to this team and undoubtedly contributed to their monumental collapse.
The Krejci line has been the most consistently dangerous line for the Bruins by far, and they seem to be gaining confidence and momentum with each shift. Along with Krejci, Nathan Horton has played a tremendous role within that same line. Together that combination has accounted for 10 goals and 7 assists. Neither of these players was present for last year’s series and they are one of the main reasons to believe that last year’s debacle will not be revisited.
The one disturbing stat that has plagued the Bruins throughout the playoffs was finally resolved in the waning minutes of game 3. Zdeno Chara’s sound barrier-breaking blast gave Boston their first power play goal in ten games. Before that point, they were 0-30. Hopefully this optimistic sign will erase nine games of inefficient power play schemes, because if the Bruins hope to be legitimate championship contenders this facet of the game will need to be corrected.
The stars seem to be aligning in Boston’s favor. While the Bruins have been beating up on the Flyers, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been doing the same to the top-seeded Washington Capitals. Last night they managed to complete a four-game sweep and send the heavily-favored Caps to an early offseason once again. Therefore if the Bruins are able to finish off the Flyers, they’ll host the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1992.
However I’m not so sure that’s necessarily a good thing. The Bruins have been sensational on the road posting a 4-1 record in the playoffs, while their record at home is only 3-2. Friday night would be the perfect opportunity to push that record in Boston to 4-2 and bury the ghost of last year’s forgettable flop. A loss, on the other hand, though it might not be the end of the world, would certainly allow those feelings of doubt to creep back into the streets of Boston and unleash the haunting apparition of playoffs past.
After all, this is the NHL playoffs and stranger things have happened. Actually… it wouldn’t be so strange at all being that it happened just last year. Keep those fingers crossed and hope that Thomas continues to uphold his vow to the net he has sworn to protect. That oath is the Bruins’ golden ticket to the next round and possibly the Stanley Cup Finals; a trip that has been long overdue for a proud franchise and deserving fan base.
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