Bruins at Flyers, Game 4

Looking back to Game 3 and ahead to Friday's Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals between the seventh-seeded Flyers and sixth-seeded Boston Bruins.

Power-play slump

The Flyers' power-play, which was so effective against New Jersey and in the opener against Boston, is 0 for 8 in the last two games - a big reason the team is in a hole of three games to none.

"We've got to move the puck faster," defenseman Chris Pronger said. "If you're going to hold it, the box is going to tighten up, and they're going to get through your lanes."

For the series, the Flyers are 2 for 13 on the PP, while Boston is 2 for 12.

Pronger was effective down low for some power-play shifts in the quarterfinals against New Jersey. He hasn't been down low in the three games against Boston, but that could change on Friday because the Flyers need to get more traffic in front of goalie Tuukka Rask.

Hail, Boychuk

Boston had 21 blocked shots in Game 3, including five by rookie defenseman Johnny Boychuk, who also had five blocks in Game 1.

"This is the time of year where guys are willing to sacrifice everything they've got," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "The team we're playing has got a pretty good player [Ian Laperriere] that's out of their lineup that did the same thing, tried to block a shot and got it in the head. That just goes to show what playoffs are all about. Guys are willing to do whatever it takes."

Stunning reversal

Boston's 3-0 series lead is stunning when you consider that the Bruins struggled to make the playoffs and lost 10 straight at home - and 10 straight overall - during a season in which they lost four more games than they won.

Yet, the Bruins have won seven of nine playoff games this spring.

Flyers' face-off woes

The Bruins have dominated the faceoff circle in the last two games, winning 59 percent of the draws in Game 2 and 58 percent in Game 3.

Patrice Bergeron has led the way, winning 28 of 40 (70 percent) in those two games.

The Flyers' Mike Richards has won 16 of 46 (34.8 percent) in the last two games.

Yes, the Flyers miss Jeff Carter's scoring and his ability in the faceoff circle.

History lesson

When the teams square off Friday, the Flyers will be trying to avoid being swept in the playoffs for the first time since the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals, when they lost to Detroit in four games.

That was the series in which Flyers coach Terry Murray called it "a choking situation" after his team lost Game 3, 6-2. They then lost Game 4, 2-1.

The Flyers have allowed a total of 11 goals in the last two times they have played in an elimination game.

- Sam Carchidi

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