‘Smart-Physical’ Play Key to Success for Bruins Against Flyers

Since the Bruins hit all their keys in their series win against Buffalo last week, I compiled another list for the Eastern Conference semifinals, from the players themselves.

The No. 1 key is to play physical, but there's more — a lot more.

After getting a locker-room consensus over the days leading up to Game 1, here are some of the players' keys to the second-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers:

• Play "smart-physical," and don't overextend energy.
• Stay out of the box, avoid retaliatory penalties — cooler heads will prevail.
• Score first.
• Play well defensively and get the puck out of the zone.
• Limit turnovers, recognize Philadelphia's ability to rush.
• Get pucks in deep.
• Be strong on puck in offensive zone and keep possession — this is not going to be a run-and-gun series.
• Find ways to get pucks through blocked-shot attempts and get inside their defense.
• Goaltending needs to be hot.
• Take advantage of power-play opportunities.
• Strong penalty kill needs to continue.
• Don't think of it as a bonus to be in second round.
• Last, but not least: Play hard.