After successful an NHL-record 65 video games and steamrolling opponents since October, the Boston Bruins seem like the clear favourite to come back out of the East and win the Stanley Cup.

The truth? “Everybody’s 0-0,” veteran ahead Charlie Coyle stated.

The climb to attempt to win the franchise’s first championship in additional than a decade begins with a collection towards the Florida Panthers. Accidents may make Boston weak within the second spherical towards Toronto or Tampa Bay and within the convention remaining towards both Carolina, New Jersey, the New York Rangers or Islanders.

However the Bruins’ expertise, consistency and depth make them seem like they’ll overcome all of it.

“The arrogance degree is excessive,” coach Jim Montgomery stated. “We consider that it’s going to be laborious, and we don’t discuss successful the Stanley Cup now. We discuss Recreation 1, that’s going to be our focus. We expect that not trying too far forward that creates nervousness. We consider in staying current and our course of permits us to have success.”

No workforce within the league’s wage cap period, which started in 2005, has had as a lot regular-season success because the Bruins. They misplaced simply 12 instances this season — as soon as of their remaining 11 video games — and their 135 standings factors broke the report held by Montreal in 1976-77, although guidelines then stored the Canadiens from piling up extra.

Nonetheless, Boston’s dominance added as much as the Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice benefit all through the playoffs — when the hockey actually issues — beginning with Recreation 1 towards the Panthers on Monday evening.

“We’ve got a fast reminiscence,” stated goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who break up time in internet with Vezina Trophy favourite Linus Ullmark. “We perceive that we’re gonna have our backs towards the wall at instances in playoffs, so we’re gonna have that joyful aggression when it comes and ensure we do all the pieces we are able to to finish out on prime.”

WHO’S IN THE WAY?

First up, Florida: considered one of solely two groups to beat Boston twice this season.

The Panthers, who completed atop the league final yr earlier than shedding within the second spherical, shook off a sluggish begin and made the playoffs within the remaining week. First-year coach Paul Maurice, within the playoffs for the tenth time in almost three many years within the NHL, known as it a “monumental problem” to face the Bruins but it surely’s precisely what he and his workforce need.

“We’re form of going up towards — I imply, let’s say it for what it’s — the most effective workforce in common season historical past right here,” stated winger Matthew Tkachuk, who led Florida with 109 factors. “We’ve got an opportunity to do one thing very, very particular. Nevertheless it’s going to take a variety of preparation, a variety of execution.”

The Lightning and Maple Leafs face off within the first spherical for a second yr in a row. Tampa Bay rallied to win the collection in seven video games final yr on the best way to a 3rd consecutive journey to the ultimate earlier than shedding to Colorado, which may once more emerge from the West.

However this can be Toronto’s yr to interrupt by for the franchise’s first playoff collection since 2004.

“I identical to how they they adjusted to get somewhat bit more durable,” retired forward-turned-TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette stated. “I believe they’re going to win that first spherical, and that’s simply going to propel their confidence shifting ahead all through the playoffs.”

METRO MADNESS

Whereas the Bruins had been the category of the Atlantic Division, the Metropolitan aspect of the East playoffs is anybody’s sport. The Carolina Hurricanes gained the division for a 3rd consecutive yr and open towards the Islanders.

“We undoubtedly assume that we’d like our greatest gamers to be the most effective,” common supervisor Don Waddell stated. “If we’re going to have success, our greatest gamers have to be good. However we do must get targets from all 4 traces.”

The Rangers can get that — they usually’ll want it within the first spherical towards the rival Devils. Touchdown elite offensive gamers Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko on the commerce deadline was essential, however their X-factor could also be Alexis Lafrenière, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko scoring whereas opponents are centered on shutting down the highest two ahead traces.

“Each line is an enormous a part of our workforce, and so are they,” first-line heart Mika Zibanejad stated. “It’s enjoyable to see them play, and it’s clearly essential.”

So is expertise, which New York bought from a visit to the East remaining final yr. New Jersey doesn’t have that, however the Devils have 99-point producer Jack Hughes and fill a necessity for pace.

The Devils, again within the playoffs for the primary time since 2018, are arguably the quickest workforce within the league. Playoff hockey may check that, however opposing gamers can’t hit what they’ll’t catch.

“Gamers that usually don’t hit begin hitting,” coach Lindy Ruff stated. “You begin speaking about physicality and puck battles that you just’ve bought to win. We’ve had a variety of challenges by the yr that we’ve answered the query with a sure. Our subsequent query is to have the ability to show that we are able to take this into the playoffs and be a profitable workforce.”

GOALTENDING GAINS

Every workforce with home-ice benefit — the Bruins, Leafs, Hurricanes and Devils — are favored to get by the primary spherical on FanDuel Sportsbook. However goaltending has derailed various hundred favored hockey groups within the historical past of the game, and this yr isn’t any totally different.

Boston could must cope with both two-time Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky. Toronto is dealing with 2019 Vezina winner and 2021 playoff MVP Andrei Vasilevskiy. Carolina will get doubtless Vezina finalist Ilya Sorokin. And New Jersey has to cope with reigning Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin.

Upsets start in internet. Let the chaos start.

“There’s going to be some superb groups which might be going residence after the primary spherical,” Waddell stated. “I do know that. That’s the best way the playoffs go.”

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AP Sports activities Author Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.

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Comply with AP Hockey Author Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports