It is a memory that the 24-year-old - and most Bruins fans - won't soon forget.
But while Kuraly has gotten used to answering the questions, he does not want to be defined by that one game. As he enters his second training camp with Boston he's attempting to establish himself as a permanent piece of the Bruins lineup.
"I think you kind of just take it day-by-day, kind of just take whatever comes," said Kuraly. "It's been a whirlwind, but I'm trying to refocus on this year. It was a good end to last year…there's some work to do now."
Kuraly played just eight regular season games with the Bruins last season before getting the call for four playoff contests with David Krejci and Ryan Spooner out with injuries. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound forward made an immediate impact by playing a strong North-South style and creating havoc in the Ottawa end during Game 5, while playing alongside David Backes and Noel Acciari.
"I think I just had clearer role," Kuraly said of why he thrived during the playoffs. "It was pretty cool to be able to help the team and play North-South, a simple game…[I] used my body, used my speed."
But the Ohio native is not banking on his playoff heroics guaranteeing him a roster spot. He knows he must continue to round out his game to earn a lasting place on the Bruins varsity, particularly with a large collection of forwards competing for limited openings.
"Everyone's here to win a job," said Kuraly, who notched 14 goals and 12 assists in 54 games for Providence last season. "I'm no different. I was doing the same last year and I'm going to try to do the same this year and try to make the team. I think we're all trying to push each other and get better, bring the best out of each other."
While Kuraly would like to turn the page on last spring's breakout performance, there is still plenty that can be gained from the experience.
"I definitely think a year helped and I feel more comfortable," said Kuraly. "There's some familiar faces. I know some of the guys' styles of play a little bit better. Just building off last year and taking steps in the right direction. There are going to be more steps that need to be taken."
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy has been pleased with Kuraly thus far, but would like to see the forward continue to enhance his offensive game.
"He always looks good in camp, he's a worker," said Cassidy. "He covers ice in a hurry. That part of it we know we're going to get no matter what. Let's see how it translates on the ice. Will he have more confidence with the puck to grow his offensive game?"
So far in camp, Kuraly has been positioned at center, with the likes of Ryan Fitzgerald, Danton Heinen, and Chris Porter on his wings. One of his strengths is his ability to play as more of a hybrid center-wing mix, as he did during the postseason when he shared faceoff duties with Backes.
"I just really tried to play my best wherever they put me," said Kuraly. "I played up the middle a lot last year in Providence and I'm kind of a natural there. But up the wing - when they define clear, simple, right up and down the wall - [I] kind of used my speed [and] it worked."
