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Marchand: Bruins ‘very, very lucky’ to be up 3-0

Washington Capitals v Boston Bruins - Game One

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck in the third period against the Washington Capitals in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 12, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals 1-0 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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After saying the Bruins were “in over our heads,” prior to the start of the Eastern Conference finals, Brad Marchand is once again taking the humble approach heading into Game 4 vs. Pittsburgh.

“We’re very, very lucky right now,” Marchand told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “A few of those games could have gone the other way if a few of their plays would have connected.

“Last game, they deserved to win, but we got a little lucky.”

Marchand does have a point. The Bruins were out-shot 54-40 in Game 3 and gave Pittsburgh six power play opportunities, but some quality goaltending from Tuukka Rask and a few hit posts limited the Pens to just one goal.

But in the overall series landscape, it’s not accurate to say the Bruins were the benefactors of great luck.

Sure, some bounces went their way, but those bounces don’t account for badly outscoring the Penguins (9-1) or outshooting them (59-56) in their own barn, where they were 5-1 heading into the conference finals.

Based on overall play and capitalizing on opportunities, Boston is full value for the commanding lead.

Regardless, Marchand insisted that -- heading into this series -- the Bruins never even entertained the idea of winning the first three games of the series.

“It’s not something you ever think is going to happen, especially against a team like Pittsburgh,” he said.

“We’re definitely happy with where we’re at, but we never thought it would happen.”