NHL Playoffs 2011: Boston Bruins Starring in a Groundhog Day Sequel?

Nearly one year ago to the day, the Boston Bruins and their fans were enjoying life. 

Having upset their rivals the Buffalo Sabres in the first round, they had home ice advantage against the Philadelphia Flyers. They jumped all over the men in orange, taking a 3-0 series lead—a virtually insurmountable advantage.

The Flyers won Game 4 in overtime but it was OK, it was just one game. Except the Flyers kept on winning and winning. 

All of a sudden, the series was tied at three games apiece.

Thankfully for Bruins fans, they took a 3-0 lead in the final game. That was until, the Flyers scored four straight goals to win Game 7 by a 4-3 score.

It was quite possibly the worst choke job in professional sports history. Not only did the Bruins become only the third team in NHL history to blow a 3-0 series lead, but they blew a 3-0 lead in Game 7—at home no less.

That brings us to today, where the Bruins destroyed the Flyers 5-1 in Game 3 of their series to again take a 3-0 series lead. The Bruins have dominated every aspect of this series so far.

Their offense has come alive scoring 15 goals in the first three games. Their defense has been tough and physical and has held every Flyer with the exception of James Van Riemsdyk largely in check. Tim Thomas has outplayed the roulette wheel that is the Flyers goaltending mess.

Even their powerplay which has been a source of embarrassment in the playoffs notched one tonight when Zdeno Chara scored one with just over a minute to go.

Yes, life is good for the Bruins.

However, now the real test starts for Boston. Now is the time that everyone is going to recall their 2010 humiliation when they were at this same exact spot. The Bruins will inevitably recall the horrors of last season, seeing their season crumble in a matter of four games.

The Boston media will be writing tomorrow about how the 2010 Bruins became the hockey version of Bill Buckner last year. 

Above all, the Flyers will have personal knowledge that you don't quit when down 3-0. 

This won't be like the  Washington Capitals who flamed out this evening, getting swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3.

The stage is set for the Bruins. Win, and they can rest and get prepared for the pesky Lightning and their confounding 1-3-1 system.

Will they be able to pull it off? Or will they begin to resemble the fate of Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day" where he had to live the same day over and over again?

For the Bruins' sake, they should hope they don't encounter any sharp toothed rodent in their locker room looking for its shadow on Friday.