Flyers at Bruins, Game 2

Looking ahead to Monday's second game of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the seventh-seeded Flyers and sixth-seeded Bruins, who won the opener in overtime, 5-4.

Intensity brewing

They've only played one game, but the Flyers and Bruins appear headed to a much more intense, physical series than the Flyers-Devils quarterfinal matchup.

These two teams don't like each other.

As expected, Chris Pronger took some runs at Boston's Marc Savard in Game 1. Savard was playing for the first time since he suffered a concussion March 7.

"They played me hard and that's part of the playoffs," Savard said. "And that's the way Pronger plays against everybody. He just took me out hard a couple times. [Mike] Richards is a fierce competitor, but that's part of the game. We had a couple of words for each other . . . so I'm sure it's not going to get easier. They're a good hockey team over there."

Said Flyers coach Peter Laviolette: "The team that doesn't show up with some intensity will be taking an early exit from the playoffs."

Sealed lips

Boston coach Claude Julien was asked what part of his team's game would have to fine-tuned against the Flyers in Game 2.

"I'm certainly not going to tell you what my adjustments are going to be," he replied in a good-natured tone.

Familiar place

The Flyers and Bruins are playing in their fifth playoff series. Boston has won Game 1 in all five.

The teams are 2-2.

Quotable

The Flyers' Danny Briere on whether he expects a long series: "It all depends on how we react to the next game. . . . I hope it goes at least five games, if we can win the next four. But it's one game at a time. . . . We will have lots of time to get back at them."

Key stat

When Boston scored first in Game 1, it was a bad omen for the Flyers. During the season, the Flyers were 8-25 when opponents netted the first goal.

Laviolette admirer

Bruins right winger Mark Recchi, a former Flyer, helped Laviolette's Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006.

"He knows the game," Recchi said. "He plays very up-tempo. I knew it would take a little time for them to catch up to his pace. He believes in four guys on the attack . . . and I think when they caught up they became a better team."

History lessons

The last time the Flyers played Game 2 of a playoff series in Boston was in 1978, when the Bruins won, 7-5. Rick Middleton scored the game-winner as Boston moved closer to ousting the Flyers in five games. . . . Reggie Leach tied an NHL playoff record when he scored five goals in the Flyers' 6-3 win over visiting Boston in the series-clinching Game 5 of the 1976 Stanley Cup semifinals. - Sam Carchidi

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