That's a familiar position for the Bruins, who held a 3-0 lead on the Flyers last year as well, only to drop the next four games. They'll look to avoid a similar fate this season and get their first shot at closing out the series when they host Philadelphia in Game 4 on Friday night.
Third Period, 18:38, Bruins 5-1: After Braydon Coburn was called for cross-checking to give the Bruins a two-man advantage, the Bruins finally score on the power play as Zdeno Chara blasts a one-timer from the top of the left circle.
Third Period, 18:06, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins get one more chance to finally score a power-play goal, as Bergeron draws a hooking call on Mike Richards.
Third Period, 17:50, Bruins 4-1: The Flyers are making Thomas work for this win now, as they're up to 38 shots, but just one has gotten past the Bruins netminder.
Claude Julien uses his timeout to rest his troops as they are caught out there on an icing after a long shift in their own zone. The Flyers have pulled their goalie for the extra attacker.
Third Period, 15:43, Bruins 4-1: The fourth line nearly strikes again, with Thornton setting up Campbell for a bid in front, but Bobrovsky makes the save.
Third Period, 12:51, Bruins 4-1: The Flyers nearly pull closer as Sean O'Donnell fires in a rebound from the left circle. But the goal is immediately waved off as the net was off its moorings when the puck when in after Scott Hartnell crashed into the near left post.
A video review upholds the no-goal call and it remains 4-1.
Third Period, 11:34, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins remain stuck on one shot this period, but don't have a problem with that as the clock continues to count down and the lead remains at three goals. They've done a good job of limiting Philadelphia's chances as well.
Third Period, 9:45, Bruins 4-1: Nearly halfway through the third and the Bruins have just one shot this period, but the important thing is that they haven't let the Flyers cut into the deficit at all.
Third Period, 5:43, Bruins 4-1: Jeff Carter with a hard shot in from the right circle that handcuffs Thomas a bit. Carter pokes at Thomas looking for a rebound, which brings Kaberle of all people in to put Carter in a headlock. No penalties out of that scrum.
Third Period, 3:18, Bruins 4-1: Scott Hartnell chirps Shawn Thornton, but refuses to drop the gloves when Thornton calls him on it and challenges him to go.
Third Period, 0:00, Bruins 4-1: The final frame is under way here at the Garden, with the Bruins looking to close the victory for a 3-0 series lead after two strong periods to begin the night.
Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins turned in another strong period to extend their lead to 4-1 heading into the third.
They're getting contributions from all over, with Nathan Horton completing the rare playoff Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal and a fight after his first-period assist. Zdeno Chara is a plus-4 with a goal and an assist, along with four shots and a blocked shot in 18:24. Dennis Seidenberg has played 19:06 and is plus-2 with three shots and three blocked shots. They've played so much because Shane Hnidy has just three shifts lasting 2:25, though he does have one hit.
Tim Thomas finally gave up a goal after stopping 68 straight shots in the last two games, but has been very sharp again tonight. Meanwhile, Brian Boucher was chased for the second time in three games this series. He also left Game 2 briefly with an injury.
The Bruins are dominating the draws, winning 30 of 38 faceoffs (79 percent) so far. David Krejci is 8-0, Patrice Bergeron 11-1 and Gregory Campbell 6-0.
End Second Period, Bruins 4-1: The Flyers got on the board, but the Bruins remain in control after two more goals in the second to chase Brian Boucher yet again.
Second Period, 19:29, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins are now 0 for 30 on teh power play in the playoffs, but only after Rich Peverley was robbed by a Bobrovsky pad save off a feed from Mark Recchi late in that man-advantage.
Second Period, 17:29, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins get another power-play chance as Kimmo Timonen is sent off for hooking.
Second Period, 16:26, Bruins 4-1: The Flyers get on the board as Andrej Meszaros pinches in deep and finishing a crossing pass from Darroll Powe in the left slot with Blair Betts screening Thomas at the left post.
Second Period, 15:14, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins strike again, with Nathan Horton completing the rare playoff Gordie Howe hat trick to make it 4-0.
Krejci set it up with a pass from the boards at center ice, and Horton drove down the middle and fired in a shot from the right circle. That ends Boucher's night, as Sergei Bobrovsky comes on to play net.
Second Period, 13:39, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins extend the lead as the fourth line comes up with a huge separation goal on the counterattack.
Gregory Campbell led a 3-on-2 rush down the right wing. While Shawn Thornton drove the net down the middle to occupy Boucher, Campbell fed it across to Paille on the left wing, and Paille picked the top far corner with a perfect wrister.
Second Period, 12:10, Bruins 2-0: The Flyers threaten as Claude Giroux gets open in the slot, but sends his shot wide. Thomas smothers the follow-up a few seconds later for a faceoff.
Second Period, 10:02, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins with their best chance of the period as Andrew Ference jumps up to join the rush and is set up in front in the low slot, but his shot sails wide.
Second Period, 9:05, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins had better movement and a few good chances on that power play, but the result remained the same with Boston now 0 for 29 on the man-advantage this postseason.
Second Period, 7:05, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins get their first power-play chance of the night as James van Riemsdyk is sent off for high-sticking. WIll this be the first power play the Bruins score on this postseason? They're 0 for 28 through nine games.
Second Period, 6:05, Bruins 2-0: Boychuk bobbles the puck in his own zone, leading to a chance for Jeff Carter, but Thomas makes the save on the shot from the left circle.
Second Period, 3:31, Bruins 2-0: A scrum in front of the net leads to the first fight of the series as Nathan Horton drops the gloves with former Bruin Sean O'Donnell. O'Donnell landed some early shots, but it was mostly an in-tight wrestling affair, albeit a lengthy and spirited one.
No extra penalties as they each get five for fighting and the sides remain at even strength.
Second Period, 1:45, Bruins 2-0: The Flyers had the puck in the Bruins zone for much of that power play, but the Bruins kill it off and maintain the two-goal lead.
Second Period, 0:00, Bruins 2-0: The second period is under way here at the Garden. The Bruins still have 1:45 of Patrice Bergeron's hooking penalty to kill off at the start of this frame.
This is an important penalty kill for the Bruins, who can't give the Flyers life with a goal to get right back into this one.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins jumped all over Brian Boucher and the Flyers at the start of this one, scoring two goals in the first 1:03. The Flyers mounted some pressure after that and actually outshot Boston 12-10 in the period, but Tim Thomas continued his strong play to maintain the 2-0 lead.
Patrice Bergeron picked up an assist on the first goal and now is tied for the league league in playoff scoring with 12 points. David Krejci scored the second goal and now has 4-2-6 totals in the first three games of this series.
Shane Hnidy saw very limited duty in the opening period, playing just two shifts lasting 54 seconds. Dennis Seidenberg (plus-2, 2 blocked shots) picked up a lot of the slack, as he's already played a team-high 10:50. Zdeno Chara (goal, plus-2) played 9:29. Jeff Carter played nine shifts for 5:27 in his return, but didn't have much of an impact (1 shot, 1 hit).
The Flyers officially lead 15-14 in hits, but the Bruins have landed the bigger shots by far. Brad Marchand has four hits already, including a blow leveling Ville Leino during the Flyers' first power play. Leino was then upended by a Johnny Boychuk hip check on the same shift, while Daniel Paille got in on the act with a big check on Kris Versteeg later.
End First Period, Bruins 2-0: The got the start they were looking for, scoring twice in the first 63 seconds and maintaining that edge through the first 20 minutes.
First Period, 19:44, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins will have another penalty to kill, with Bergeron called for hooking with just 16 seconds left in the period.
First Period, 15:28, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins finally get a shot from Greg Campbell. The Flyers had outshot Boston 8-1 in the stretch before that, forcing Thomas to work to maintain the 2-0 lead.
The Bruins are getting in plenty of other shots though, with Daniel Paille the latest to deliver a huge check, leveling Kris Versteeg.
First Period, 13:48, Bruins 2-0: After an exchange of hits, with Krejci getting the better with a check in front of the benches, Leino gets up to challenge the Bruins center, but nothing further develops.
First Period, 11:00, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins will a very effective penalty kill, not letting the Flyers set up at all. Also a tough power play for Ville Leino, who was dumped by a hard hit from Brad Marchand, then upended by a Johnny Boychuk hip check.
First Period, 9:00, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins nearly extend the lead as Dennis Seidenberg hits the post with a blast from the right point, but it may not have counted anyway as Milan Lucic is called for interference. Big penalty kill here for Boston to maintain the momentum.
First Period, 5:49, Bruins 2-0: Things are getting a bit chippy now. Darroll Powe was shaken up by a hard hit into the boards by Lucic, then Scott Hartnell draws the wrath of Chara after crashing the crease on Thomas. They exchange some shoves, but no penalties are called.
First Period, 4:28, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins continue to pressure the Flyers, with Mark Recchi testing Boucher with a shot from in close on the right side. The shots are 5-2 Boston right now.
First Period, 1:03, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins strike again 33 seconds later as David Krejci scores another goal against the Flyers.
Krejci banged home a pass out from the corner by Milan Lucic to double the early lead. The Flyers call time out to try to regroup.
First Period, 0:30, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins waste no time jumping out to a quick lead in this one as Zdeno Chara scores 30 seconds in.
After Brad Marchand was stopped at the left post off a feed from Bergeron, Marchand recollected the puck behind the net and passed it out to Chara for the one-time blast.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals is under way here at the Garden, with the Bruins looking to take a commanding lead 3-0 and the Flyers trying to make it a series at 2-1.
7 p.m.: The Bruins will start the Patrice Bergeron line, with Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi on the wings, as usual for this one. But after starting Andrew Ference and Johnny Boychuk the last two games, Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg will be up first on defense in Game 3, with Tim Thomas in goal.
The Flyers counter with a new line combination as their lines have been reshuffled with the return of Jeff Carter. Philadelphia will open with Mike Richards between Darroll Powe and Kris Versteeg up front, with Braydon Coburn and Kimmo Timonen on the blue line and Brian Boucher in net.
6:50 p.m.: Shane Hnidy is officially in the Bruins lineup and Adam McQuaid out, and Tyler Seguin is officially a scratch again.
For the Flyers, Chris Pronger is out again, but Jeff Carter will make his series debut. Jody Shelley returns to the press box after playing in Game 2, while Danny Syvret will fill in for Pronger on the blue line once again. Zac Rinaldo and Matt Walker also remain out for Philadelphia as scratches.
6:45 p.m.: Shane Hnidy slid right into Adam McQuaid's spot alongside Tomas Kaberle in the line rushes during warm-ups. There were no other changes in the line combinations. As usual, Tyler Seguin skated in warm-ups, but did not participate in the line drills. He will remain a helathy scratch.
Here are the complete line combinations from the warm-up:
Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Marchand-Bergeron-Recchi
Kelly-Peverley-Ryder
Paille-Campbell-Thornton
Defense pairs:
Chara-Seidenberg
Ference-Boychuk
Kaberle-Hnidy
6:30 p.m.: Tim Thomas and Brian Boucher lead the teams out on to the ice for warm-ups. That will be the goaltending matchup once again here in Game 3.
Jeff Carter is on the ice for warm-ups for the Flyers. Chris Pronger is not. Adam McQuaid is not out tehre for the Bruins, who will turn to Shane Hnidy to fill in on the blue line as expected.
6 p.m.: The Bruins will look to extend their series lead to 3-0, while the Flyers will try tomake this a whole new series at 2-1 when the clubs take the ice for Game 3 at the Garden in just over an hour.
Both teams face injury questions heading into this game. the Bruins are expected to be without defenseman Adam McQuaid (sprained neck), with Shane Hnidy likely filling in on the blue line.
The Flyers may get Jeff Carter (knee) back, as he skated in the morning skate at the Garden. Chris Pronger (lower body) did not, and could miss his second straight game.
8 a.m.: The Bruins return home on Wednesday for Game 3 in their second-round series with a 2-0 lead after winning both games in Philadelphia.
But if there's one thing the Bruins know, it's not to get too comfortable with a lead against the Flyers.
Boston remembers well what happened to its 3-0 lead against Philadelphia last year. The Bruins also know they just rallied to beat Montreal after losing the first two games of that series at home themselves. Still, they're a lot happier being up two games instead of down two to start this series.
"It's huge," forward Brad Marchand said of taking the 2-0 lead. "It gives you a lot of confidence going home, but at the same time, obviously what happened last year, and we saw it with Montreal in our series. They won the first two and then lost the first two at home, so we have to make sure that we go home and we play just as hard as we did on the road here."
After the Bruins rolled to a 7-3 win in Game 1, the Flyers came out with a much better effort in Game 2 on Monday. They outshot Boston 54-41, but Tim Thomas stopped the final 46 shots he faced after Philadelphia jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and David Krejci scored in overtime to cap the Bruins' 3-2 comeback win.
The Flyers are sure to come with a similarly intense effort on Wednesday to avoid falling down by three games.
"I think there is an example of the fact that you need to win four games to win a series," Flyers goalie Brian Boucher said of last year's series. "You are not out until that's the case. There's been a lot of times in history where teams have been down 0-2 and come back. Our focus is Game 3, get one game, get some life, and move on from there."
Boucher was pulled in Game 1 and left Game 2 briefly with a hand injury before returning. The Flyers will likely stick with Boucher in Game 3, but they've switched goalies in five of their first nine playoff games, so there's no guarantee he'll finish the game.
It's also uncertain if Chris Pronger will return after missing Game 2 with an undisclosed injury. The Flyers could also get forward Jeff Carter back soon, as he skated on his own on Tuesday, but he remains doubtful for this game with a knee injury. The Bruins are expected to be without defenseman Adam McQuaid, who suffered a sprained neck in Game 2.
The puck drops at 7 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action from the Garden.
