Revenge: Coming Soon

Just as long as the Bruins don't get blue-balled here (you know, not finishing) by the Flyers again, it's looking like a showdown with the Tampa Bay Lightning is all but signed, sealed, and delivered. But I'm not going to declare this series over by any means until it's over. Last is just too damn painful to remember. Although I will say this: by the time the B's had jumped out to a 3-0 lead last year, Tuukka Rask was gassed beyond the point of any fair expectations. I'm still not saying it's acceptable to blow a 3-0 series lead, but if you dig deep enough, you can conclude that the Bruins weren't actually that good to begin with last year. The 2011 version, featuring Timmy (soon to be) Vezina? Clearly a superior team to the Phlyers. Any doubts we may have had were surely answered after his 52 save performance on Monday night.

As far as tonight went, jumping on their throats bright and early was the perfect way to send the message that last year isn't on the mind of the black and gold. Zdeno Chara started things off just 30 seconds in with a bomb from atop the circle, followed 33 seconds later by David Krejci. If you remember, Krejci missed last year's collapse due to injury. Warrants mentioning.

The Bruins physicality was also present early on. If "pancakes" were stats in hockey like they are in football, I counted one apiece for Paille, Horton, and Lucic in the first period alone. You can't underestimate the importance of playing physical, especially at home. Just making it clear, "this is our house".

Nathan Horton may have been handled by former Bruins great Sean O'Donnell in their tilt during the 2nd period, but I'd say he more than made up for it with his team-leading 5th goal of the playoffs later on. It's a damn shame Horton spent the first seven years in the hockey purgatory that is Florida. Clearly, he's making up for lost time.

Danny Paille's goal before Horton's was textbook hockey from the get go. A Flyers rush was thwarted by a stout defensive play by Johnny Boychuk, who quickly found Greg Campbell up the right wing on the fast break. Campbell bided his time as Shawn Thornton clogged the interior, and found Paille up the left side to beat Brian Boucher. A perfectly executed breakout, by the 4th line, no less.

Speaking of Brian "Waterboy" Boucher, did you know the Flyers have pulled their starting goalie 6 times in 10 playoff games this season? You ain't getting too far with ineptitude like that between the pipes. Seems like the Flyers have been looking for an answer in net ever since Ron Hextall left town.

And finally tonight, wait for it, the Bruins scored on the power play! Sure it was on a 5-on-3 with under two minutes left in a 4-1 game, but the PP unit had gotten to the point that they were like that little leaguer who was happy getting out just as long as he made contact. You know, the same kid who probably excelled in chess and computers. Who better to end the drought than Big Z, who's 2nd goal of the night also ensured he'd be on the ice for all 5 Bruins goals. No small feat there.

The Bruins will look to wrap it up Friday night at the TD Garden, and I say the sooner they finish it off the better. There's no need to give the Flyers the slightest ray of hope that they can duplicate last year. Also notice how the Bruins have just a two-day layoff between games. The Celtics played the night before them on Tuesday, and their next game will be the day after them on Saturday.  Just sayin'.