Bruins set to host banged-up Flyers in Semifinals on Saturday

Thanks to a lifelong rival and arch-nemesis, Montreal Canadiens, the Boston Bruins can now prepare for their next round  opponents: Winter Classic and Conference foes, Philadelphia Flyers.

Jaroslav Halak and the Montreal Canadiens advanced to the semifinals last night while etching their names into the NHL history books with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Presidents' Trophy winners, Washington Capitals. The Habs became just the 22nd team in NHL history to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. They also became the first No. 8 seeded team -- since the new playoff format instilled in 1994 -- to be down 3-1 to a No. 1 seed team, and win the best-of-seven playoff series. 

The No. 6 seed Bruins now have home-ice advantage throughout this series against the Flyers; beginning on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. EST at the TD Garden.

The Bruins have had some luck against the Flyers during the regular season, including the Jan. 1 Winter Classic. Boston posted a 2-1-1 record against Philly and outscored them 11-9 over those four contests. 

Bruins 23-year-old rookie net-minder started in two of those, going 1-0-1, a goals-against average just south of 2.00, and a .944 save-percentage (67 saves on 71 shots-against). Future Hall-of-Fame forward Mark Recchi led the way with three goals against the Flyers this season, while center Patrice Bergeron and left-wing Marco Sturm each registered four-points

Injuries are always a factor at this time of year. The Bruins are still without Mark Stuart on their blue-line, but do get their No. 1 center back in Marc Savard. As for the Flyers, it's a lot more serious.

Center, and leading goal scorer in the regular season (33), Jeff Carter is out for the remainder of  the playoffs after undergoing successful foot surgery. Also out with a dinged-up foot -- a broken toe -- left-winger Simon Gagne may be good-to-go by Game 3, as he's soon to resume skating. And finally tough-guy Ian Laperriere, who received 60-70 stitches above his right eye after blocking a slapshot, remains questionable for Game 1 Saturday afternoon. 

Backstopped by a 33-year-old journeyman and back-up net-minder, Brian Boucher gets another stab at this starting role between the pipes once again, as Michael Leighton continues to rehab a high-ankle sprain. Despite a sub-par regular season (33 games played , 9-18-3, 2.76 GAA and .899 SV%) Boucher is the playoffs goaltending leader, thus far, in all major categories (.940 SV% and 1.59 GAA). 

Philly, who last played in series-ending Game 5 on Thursday, Apr. 22, will have had eight days off between series -- akin to the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes last season in which the Bruins had nine days of rest between games.

The Bruins need to exploit these holes in the Flyers team, all while sticking to their game. Sound goaltending, tight defense, and creating traffic and causing havoc in front of Boucher.

Per Peter Chiarelli's conference call on Tuesday morning:

"If we play them [Philly] it will be a crash-and-bang series. They've got some big physical forwards and they like to play in your face. They've got [Chris] Pronger on the back end, who can play the physical game and can also move the puck. That's the type of series you'll see there."

Pronger -- along with forwards Arron Asham, Dan Carcillo, and Riley Cote -- are all bangers that are sure to amp-up their team. Despite being 100-percent on the penalty kill in this year's playoffs, Boston needs to match the Flyers physicality while remaining composed and out of the penalty box.

This is the Bruins' best chance to advance to the Conference Finals in nearly 20 years. Taking advantage of a depleted Flyers' lineup, who hasn't played in over a week, means Boston must begin each game as they did in Game 6 against the Sabres. Often not playing a full 60-minutes, the B's can't afford to take their foot off of the gas pedal at anytime throughout this series.

	PLAYOFF STATS
2.67 (11TH)	GOALS-FOR	3.00 (6th)
2.50 (T-3)	GOALS-AGAINST	1.80 (1st)
27.3% (4th)	POWER PLAY	27.6% (3rd)
100% (1st)	PENALTY KILL	87.5% (4th)
34.2 (5th)	SHOTS ON GOAL/GAME	25.2 (15th)
32.3 (11th)	SHOTS AGAINST/GAME	27.0 (3rd)
101 (3rd most)	PENALTY MINUTES	84 (6th)