Entering the Bruins' postseason with cautious optimism

Flashback: Everything had fallen into place for the B's in their first year led by Jim Montgomery.

• The team set new NHL records in 2023 for the most victories (64) and points (135). It had won the Presidents' Trophy.
• Its stellar season went up in flames in the first round of the playoffs as the team lost to the Florida Panthers.
• The Panthers lost the championship to the Las Vegas Golden Knights (led by ex-Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy, of all people).

State of play: The Bruins remain in first in the Atlantic Division after last night's loss to the Washington Capitals.

• The Bruins play the Ottawa Senators tonight.

Zoom out: The playoff brackets will take shape later this week as the regular season wraps up, based on the top three teams in each division.

• Joining the Bruins in the East are the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.
• In the West, the Las Vegas Golden Knights have clinched a spot in the playoffs, along with the Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and the Nashville Predators.

Between the lines: The B's head to the playoffs without any new records or awards, but the players say they are focused.

• "We played a lot of really good teams lately," captain Brad Marchand told Boston.com this weekend after the B's win over Pittsburgh.
• "It's a great opportunity for us to continue to improve our game and really get dialed in for what comes ahead."