Ionic

Boston is panicking. After the Bruins dropped a game five at home 4-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers, they should be. The B's were bad. They were 2009-2010 regular season bad, they were 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Carolina Hurricanes bad. They played like the Bruins that every Boston fan grew to love to hate over the course of the regular season this year, just consistently frustrating. It seems that whenever the Bruins have an advantage working for them, they drop the ball. Heading into this season, they were a favorite to enter the playoffs with a head of steam and with a vengeance. Instead, the Bruins struggled the whole way, getting booed for lack of consistency and effort. Just a few weeks ago, the Bruins entered a playoffs in which nobody saw them succeeding. It always seems like the Bruins flourish in these situations: where there is nothing to lose, and they can't get much further from the bottom.

And so then began the run that single-handedly got me through my Spring semester finals, the Boston watermain break, and about a month of beard-growing. The Bruins looked sharp against the Sabres and the Flyers for about a series and a half. More recently, they've lost the magic touch. Their first overtime loss of the postseason came in a game that would have clinched a sweep and about a week of extra rest heading into the Eastern Conference finals. Instead, their defense fell asleep on the ice. And they didn't wake up for game 5. For the first time this postseason, the Garden was as quiet and disappointed as it was throughout the regular season. As fans trudged down the garden steps on their way to Causeway Street after the shellacking, they had a lot to think about, so did I.

Here's a few things on my mind at this point, ranging from general team questions, to more pointed worries:

Is this team for real?
Maybe. We really don't know yet. This is the first point in the post season when the Bruins have felt real adversity, as game 5 was their first definitive loss. They will need to rebound hard if they want to get their fans and the city back on their side. It amazes me just how positive Bruins fans were just five days ago when they were talking about making a run to the finals where anything can happen. Fans are much more solemn today, talking about the possibility of having to face another second round game seven where, once again, anything can happen (see 2009 Hurricanes). I will make my judgment based on the Bruins' performance in Philadelphia tomorrow night. If they can shut down the Flyers like their did in their first game in Philly this postseason, then they will have proven their ability to rebound against what is sure to be a loud crowd, a physical team, and doubting Bostonians. Even if the Bruins lose in Philadelphia and wind up winning at home in a game seven, I will be far less impressed. This team knows that they are on the cusp of some much needed rest and that they cannot tempt fate with a game seven (see 2009 Carolina Hurricanes). With Flyer goaltender Brian Boucher out with a knee injury, they will have the even simpler job of working against backup Leighton, who hasn't started a game since March. If the Bruins continue to procrastinate, they may make it by the Flyers by an inch, but they will have proven their immaturity. They will not go far in following rounds. Instead, the Bruins need to fight like they want it every game. They need to put the Flyers away while they still have control of the series and their fans.

Can the Flyers pull off the upset?
I don't know, but it sure does seem a lot more believable now than it did two games ago, now doesn't it? I would not be surprised to see Philadelphia moving on to the Conference Finals round. They have an incredible amount of momentum right now, and they can ride it as far as they see fit. The question is whether they will receive more resistance from the Bruins than they saw in game 5, which is really the hardest question to answer. It is hard to tell if the Bruins will rebound from a tough loss like they did all regular season, with more losses, or if they will be able to return to form in the face of adversity. It is really the Bruins move at this point, and the Flyers have everything to gain from the wrong one.

What does Mayor Thomas Menino think about this?
Well, he probably thought, like everyone else, that Jason Varitek's field goal attempts were pretty pitiful and that Doug Flutie really ought to try out another hail mary pass. The Bruins will need another ionic win if they are going to advance any further. Yeah, something like that.

What happened to the O?
What a drop off. The Bruins offense that has been so much more productive this postseason than the regular season has lost their spark, at least for one game. The fact that they got blanked is brutal for a team that needs to carry offensive momentum, but the fact is that the Bruins offense has the chance to rebound. This was one of their first offensive let downs of the post season, so they deserve the chance to respond, just like the rest of the team, but, like I said, we have seen this team's offense get stuck in a rut many times this season. Don't be surprised if, for at least one game, the Bruins need to grit it out on a 1-0 or 2-1 victory. Then again, don't be surprised if they wake up and light up the scoreboard either.

What can we expect in game 5?
I don't know. As I've been suggesting, the Flyers and Bruins have thrown this series into a state of flux that no one will be able to figure out until the next game is played. Each team has the ability to maintain control going into Philadelphia, with the Flyers having the obvious advantage. Don't be surprised, however, if the Bruins pull the wool over our eyes again and pick it up right when Boston is ready to throw in the towel. Hey, it's not the prettiest way to get it done, but I'll take it.

Guys to look for in game 5 as game changers?
For Boston, keep an eye on Tuukka Rask, who must be burning after being burned so much yesterday. He will either be on top of his game or rattled- my guess is on top of his game. Also watch out for Milan Lucic, who has been on a tear as of late. If he and the Bruins can upgrade their physical play, maybe they can prove that they are not going to lay down. On offense, Recchi and Satan cannot carry the entire load since Krejci's injury. The Bruins will need Blake Wheeler to continue to step up along with Marc Savard.

For Philly, watch Leighton, as a fair portion of the Flyers' comeback will rest on his shoulders. Can he repeat his heroics of game 4? Time will tell. Also, Gagne has been on fire since returning from injury. The Bruins will need to figure out a way to quiet him down if they plan on going anywhere.

Prediction?
I was way off last night, calling that the Bruins would wake up for game 5, but I am going to go with my gut and give them the benefit of the doubt heading into game 6. I bet the Bruins pull out a 3-2 victory.