PREVIEW 7:15 AM EDT
In order to be successful in the Stanley Cup playoffs, a team has to have tunnel vision. It has to forget what has happened in previous games, focus only on the one at hand and, if they win it, repeat the cycle the next time around. It is very unlikely that the Flyers could manage a second straight comeback from an 0-3 deficit against an improved and healthier Boston Bruins team. But if they win tonight, they won't have to. They'll be back in the series with a chance to even it up next game.
In order for the Flyers to win tonight, they will need to play the way they did in the third period and segments of the overtime in Game 2. It took Philadelphia until the sixth period of hockey in the series to match -- and then surpass -- the Bruins' work ethic. If tonight's game goes like the first five periods, Boston will win.
For too much of the series so far, the Flyers have tried to play racehorse hockey against Boston. That's not the game plan. The goaltender disparity in the series makes it awfully tough to win that way.
Oddly enough, the Flyers managed five goals in the first four periods against Tim Thomas, and none since then. But the two-way intensity that Philly brought in the third period is the way to go. Philadelphia shooters will have to do a better job of shooting high. At the defensive end, Philly needs to cut the gap between the forwards and defense and make better reads. The David Krejci line in particular continued to do damage in Game 2.
As always, it is imperative that Brian Boucher not allow anything stoppable get by him. He played well overall in Game 2 (as did Sergei Bobrovsky in second period relief after Boucher hurt his glove hand). Boucher made some key stops including one on a breakaway with the score tied, 2-2. Nevertheless, he also gave up a bad goal on Brad Marchand's long-range, low and unscreened wrist shot. At this time of year, a single bad goal can hurt a team as much as a half-dozen clutch saves can help.
On the Boston side, the two biggest tasks at hand for the Bruins are to more consistently get their forechecking and cycling game going than they did in the latter part of Game 2. They also allowed too many odd-man rushes to the Flyers and could not contain James van Riemsdyk at all. As incredibly as Thomas played in that game and is capable of playing on any given night, they need to make life a little easier on him again. Last but not least, sooner or later the Bruins will have to get their power play going or suffer the consequences.
Don't look for Jeff Carter (sprained MCL) or Andreas Nodl (eye/facial injury) tonight. The status of Chris Pronger (back/hamstring/hand) is unknown. Shane Hnidy could replace Adam McQuaid (sprained neck) on the Bruins' blueline tonight.
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This week's installment of
Across the Pond at NHL.com looks inside the surprising 3-0 start by Team Germany at the 2011 World Championships.
Already the Germans have stunned Russia (2-0) and Slovakia (4-3). Yesterday, Germany rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat Slovenia in an eight-round shootout.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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