Despite surrendering the first goal in all three games, the Bruins have found a way to comeback and win two of those games and now are in the position to take a commanding 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven series.
But if the Bruins are to do so, and if they want to bring this series back to Buffalo with a chance to clinch a berth to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Black and Gold must follow these three keys to success:
1. Don’t look ahead
The Bruins know all too well how it feels to be on the trailing side in a series. So they very well know that a series lead can evaporate very quickly if you let your guard down and look ahead. The Bruins have erased 3-1 series leads twice in the past two years — once in 2008 against Montreal and then last spring against Carolina. Yes, they failed to complete the comeback, but that’s a perfect indicator of how even when a team wins two straight in a series and appears to have stolen momentum, the opponent can grab it right back.
2. Continue the physical play
The Bruins, as they did through most of last season when they finished first overall in the Eastern Conference and made the second round of the playoffs, are thriving off their physical play. The Johnny Boychuk hit on Matt Ellis in the second period of Game 3 or the Zdeno Chara hit on Tyler Ennis at the end of the first period in Game 2 were perfect examples of how physicality wakes this team up and helps them find other elements of their game.
3. Score the first goal
The Bruins have yet to score the first goal in this series and that’s why this key to success remains here. They have proven they can battle back and win but why put oneself in such a position every game? Sooner or later, this will catch up to the Bruins — but never sounds better than both of those options. The only way for that to happen is to light the lamp first and be in the lead.
