After last season, there was so much to look forward to with the 09-10 Boston Bruins. Alas, the entire regular season was a disaster. The injury bug bit and bit often. Most notably to Marc Savard and Milan Lucic, the former being the single most important player to the Bruin offense. The Bruins gambled by trading sniper, Phil Kessel , who lead the team with 36 goals last season. He was a restricted free agent, and they chose not to pay him big money and unloaded him to the Maple Leafs for some prime draft picks. Even without Kessel, the Bruins figured to have enough offense. Michael Ryder, Blake Wheeler and Marco Sturm all had terribly disappointing seasons. Scoring was a constant problem all season long. They eecked into the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. They got a lucky first round draw in Buffalo. After loosing a typical 2-1 game to start the playoffs, the Bruins stormed back from a 2-0 deficit in game two, to win 5-2. Another 2-1 game in game 3, only the Bruins had the 2 spot. Now its on to game 3. I really didn’t want to get sucked in to they playoffs, when the team, really had no chance to advance. However, here I am, dusting off the Bruins jersey and getting excited for game 4. It’s probably a fools errand, but I can’t help myself.  Here are three big reasons why the Bruins can advance.

#1 Solid Defensive Hockey- The Bruins may not score many goals, but they don’t let too many in either. Tuukka Rask has been solid, his confidence is building. How many times has a hot goaltender carried a lesser team deep into the playoffs? It happens..

#2 Zdeno Chara- Still one of the elite players in the NHL. Chara has been much more involved in the offense, attacking the goal with much more frequency. When goals are at a premium, you need them any way you can get them. Chara has that booming slap shot, but is also very effective at sliding to the circle on the power play. Chara is the offensive X-factor for the B’s.

#3 the potential return of Mark Savard. It’s not happening tonight, but it could happen soon. Here is where I am taking the leap of faith. Maybe Savard can come back and provide the offensive punch that this team has lacked all season long. It’s a long shot, as he has been out of action for a while, but it’s not impossible. You can’t minimize the emotional lift Savard could bring this team. Plus, Philly has a commanding lead on NJ and that would be the Bruins next opponent. It would take a miracle to beat a team like Washington of Pittsburgh, but we would only need to beat one of them. I believe the NHL re-seeds, so no easy road.

Lastly, Vladimir Sobotka deserves praise. He is like a pin ball out on the ice, causing havoc everywhere. It didn’t result in points in the regular season, but it’s starting to in the playoffs. The more I watch him, the more I love him. Also, kudos to Michael Ryder for stepping up his game in the playoffs as well. Tonight is a big game, go up 3-1 and the fans will really start to believe. Loose and even the series at 2-2 and its back to square one, and expectations will be tempered.

GO BRUINS.