The Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers begin the Eastern Conference First Round at TD Garden with Game 1 on Monday.
The game -- and the series -- could be an uphill climb for the Panthers against a team that set a new regular-season record of 65 wins. But the Bruins may or may not have forward Patrice Bergeron in their lineup, which could provide the Panthers the opening they need to steal a game in Boston.
The Bruins have had an illness sweep through their dressing room over the past 10 days to two weeks.
"We have not only Bergeron, but a couple guys that have been under the weather," Boston coach Jim Montgomery said. "I don't have a definitive lineup right now for tonight."
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The Panthers have played as well against the Bruins as any other team this season, responsible for two of their 17 losses (one in regulation, one in overtime).
"We're going in with some scars, which is good, but they heal," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. "We survived them. We had some tough stretches this year where there was a lot of mental toughness needed. That's what this series is going to be all about. You're not controlling the whole series, not coming in and dominating the Boston Bruins.
"Nobody's going four straight here."
The Bruins enter the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak, including games they rested some of their stars, and winning 15 of their final 16. The Panthers won six straight to get back into the race for the wild card in the Eastern Conference before losing their final two.
"I don't even know if underdog is a right phrase for us right now; it's probably more than that," Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said. "Going against the talent and everything they've done this year over there. So we have our hands full and we have to play very, very, very well, if not perfect."
Both teams, though, are ready for the series to kick off. They're eagerly anticipating Game 1.
"I woke up at 4:30 [a.m.]," Montgomery said. "I was wide awake. I'm still wide awake now. … It's the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There's no better thing in the world to me than being part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, representing the spoked-B and being able to go out and play in front of our fans tonight."
Here are 3 keys for Game 1: