BOSTON - At this point, there really is no reason to expect anything different.

As Patrice Bergeron aptly pointed out on Monday afternoon, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins finished as the seventh- and third-best teams, respectively, in the National Hockey League this season.

The clubs were careening toward a first-round matchup for the majority of the season's second half. And once the showdown became official during the final week of March, there weren't many who expected anything less than a lengthy best-of-seven series between two evenly matched divisions rivals.

Well, here we are.

BOSTON - The Bruins know well the task that is in front of them on Sunday afternoon. It's a simple one, quite frankly.

Either win, or go home.

It is not a situation that the Bruins figured they would be facing so early in the postseason, but one they seem ready to take head on.

BOSTON - Following the returns of Marcus Johansson and John Moore on Wednesday night, the Bruins could have another piece back in the lineup for Game 5. Sean Kuraly skated yet again on Thursday afternoon at Warrior Ice Arena and has been termed a game-time decision for Friday's pivotal tilt with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"He's progressing well," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "Then we'll see if he gets cleared in the morning and off he goes. If he's healthy and cleared, he'll go in."

Kuraly has not played since March 21 in New Jersey when he fractured his right hand after blocking a shot. His speed and energy has been sorely missed, particularly over the first four games of the postseason.

TORONTO - As they prepare for a pivotal Game 4 in Toronto on Wednesday night, the Bruins could have some reinforcements on the way.

Marcus Johansson (illness) and John Moore (upper-body) both practiced in full on Tuesday afternoon at Coca-Cola Coliseum and could be in the lineup as Boston tries to even up its best-of-seven first-round series with the Maple Leafs at two games apiece.

BOSTON - Before Thursday night's Game 1, Brandon Carlo had never played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And after the game, he nearly felt the same.

The Bruins' lackluster effort in a 4-1 setback to the Toronto Maple Leafs left everyone on the roster wanting more. Which is why Boston ramped up its physicality and focus in Game 2, clearly putting forth a more engaged - and ornery - performance en route to a 4-1 victory of their own to knot the series at one game apiece.

"Felt like it was more so my first playoff game [Saturday] night than the night before just because of the intensity and the way I expected things to go," Carlo, who missed the last two postseason with inuries, said on Sunday afternoon at Warrior Ice Arena. "I think it's a lot of fun to establish that kind of attitude and game style in your own building. I had a lot of fun last night."

The 2019 Boston Bruins Playoffs are presented by Beth Israel Lahey Health

BOSTON - Nothing about the Bruins' 2018-19 season was easy. It was a campaign filled with adversity with nearly every core piece of the roster missing significant time due to injury at one point or another.

Nevertheless, Boston still managed to bank 107 points, the second-highest total in the National Hockey League, and is entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a serious title contender with most of its key players back in the lineup.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Zach Senyshyn knows that sleep might be hard to come by on Wednesday night. But he's not complaining.

The 22-year-old arrived in Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon after being recalled from Providence and will make his NHL debut when the Bruins visit the Wild at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday night.

"It definitely was a little tough last night [to get sleep]. I assume it will be a little tough tonight. Those are good nerves and good excitement. I'm really happy to be here," said Senyshyn, who was called up on an emergency basis along with Trent Frederic.

"Obviously I'm really excited and just trying to soak it all in right now...it was a great call. Was really excited to get here and join the team. A great group of guys."

BOSTON - The Bruins could be beefing up their blue line this weekend with defense partners Matt Grzelcyk and Kevan Miller nearing returns from injury.

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said following Friday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena that both are considered "game-time decisions" for Saturday's matinee with Florida, but that Grzelcyk "looks like he's a day ahead of Kevan."

Grzelcyk has missed the last eight games with an arm injury suffered on March 10 in Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old was injured on a hit by Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist, which crunched Grzelcyk's arm between Hornqvist's hip and the boards.

TAMPA - With the regular-season schedule dwindling, the Bruins appear to be getting healthy at just the right time.

Of course, the way this campaign has gone for the Black & Gold, there is no guarantee they will be at full strength come the postseason - in fact, that is certain to be the case with Sean Kuraly now sidelined for the next four weeks with a fractured hand.

But Boston is hoping to be as close to its full lineup as possible, and with Marcus Johansson, Torey Krug, Matt Grzelcyk, and Kevan Miller all inching closer to their returns to game action, that is becoming more of a likelihood.

BostonBruins.com - The Bruins visit the Prudential Center on Thursday for the first time this season for the team's third and final matchup against the New Jersey Devils.

For defenseman Connor Clifton, who grew up 30 minutes south of the arena in Matawan, New Jersey, it's a very happy homecoming.