If it were against any other team, in any other round of the playoffs, with any other type of lead, it probably wouldn't be a big deal.

But it's hard for Bruin fans to not get anxious with a 3-0 series lead against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals given recent history.

It was just last season that the Bruins had the same lead and conceded four straight games to lose the series and earn their place in hockey infamy.

Last season's collapse was the first time that a team lost a series after being up by three games since 1975 when the Islanders did it twice against both the Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

As the final insult to a humiliating series, the Bruins' let a three-goal advantage slip away in Game Seven.

It was a series that Bruins have tried to put behind them, but under similar circumstances, it's hard to not point out the parallels. But the Bruins say this is a different year and under much improved circumstances.

Last year, the Bruins had current backup Tukka Rask manning the net. This year it's Tim Thomas, perhaps the best goalie in the league.

Thomas owns a 2.13 goals-against average in the playoffs, which is third best overall. Thomas is also second in save percentage and wins.

A 3-0 lead in the series is the same. Everything else is different, Thomas said to The Boston Globe. We learned last year the fourth win is the hardest.

Along with Thomas, the Bruins have several other players who weren't on the team last year for the epic 3-0 collapse. Right wing Nathan Horton, who is tied with David Krejci in leading the team with playoff goals, has been a valuable addition.

Left wing Brad Marchand was on the squad last season, but he barely received playing time. In the regular season, Marchand has been a major contributor with 41 points, and has added 10 points in the playoffs.

The Bruins have scored in droves in this series, averaging five goals per game, as the offense has been clicking.

However, Boston needs to improve on power plays if they expect to advance to their first Stanley Cup since 1990. The Bruins have converted only one power-play goal in 32 chances, a low amongst the remaining playoff teams.

While the Bruins will avoid looking back at last year's embarrassing finish, the Flyers will use it as motivation for an improbable comeback. Philadelphia right-wing Claude Giroux suggested that if the Flyers win Game Four, they'll not only stay alive but will be in the Bruins' heads.

But the Flyers have a major problem to address: defense. Giving up five goals a games is not good, and head coach Peter Lavoilette surely knows it.

Philadelphia has used three different goalies in the playoffs, and one of them needs to step up if they want to get back into the series.

Philadelphia has the highest goals-against average among remaining playoff teams at 3.30, which means the Flyers have a tough mountain to climb, and trying to win a high-scoring game with Thomas guarding the net is not a smart strategy.

It also doesn't help that the Bruins are intent on not letting history repeat itself.

Follow Gabriel Perna on Twitter at @GabrielSPerna

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