NHL Playoffs: Bruins expected to win the series

Flyers coach turned master psychologist Peter Laviolette says the pressure is all on the Bruins. Up two games to none, Boston is in the driver’s seat after Monday’s overtime win.

The Bruins are on home ice the next two games and potentially three of four, vowing not to let what transpired last year happen again.

“I would say that there is a real expectation for the Bruins to win the series now,” said Laviolette. “And while that relieves us of the pressure, it certainly mounts on them to be successful now that they have a 2-0 lead.

“I think that there is a 100 percent belief in here that we can go into Boston and win the next game. This team never quits.”

Maybe not, but they sure don’t make things easy on themselves. After squandering a 2-0 lead on a pair of James van Riemsdyk goals in the first 9:31, Tim Thomas stoned them the rest of the way.

Now the Bruins carry momentum home, needing only to look back to their first-round series versus Montreal to know a team can overcome losing the first two at home.

Plus, one of these nights their 0-for-28 on the man-advantage is bound to click. Then again, the Flyers — with a franchise-record 25 road wins, followed by two more in Buffalo — have probably been better away from home.

“All year we’ve played just as well on the road as at home,” said Danny Briere. “We have to find some way to get back in the series. That’s all we can worry about.”

Besides, the pressure’s all on the other guys.

Carter skates, Pronger and others day-to-day

The Flyers have gone the way of the Phillies when addressing injuries. In other words, they aren’t really saying what’s going on.

Jeff Carter skated yesterday for 10 minutes, but his status is unknown for Game 3. He’s listed day-to-day, along with Chris Pronger (undisclosed), Andreas Nodl (eye) and Michael Leighton (back).

Pronger didn’t play in Game 2 and speculation on what is ailing him is running rampant. It could be anything from hamstring and back injuries to a mysterious illness.

Brian Boucher, who left Game 2 with a hand injury and then returned, should be in goal for Game 3.