Just stay healthy, get in, and worry about seeding later.

Evidently, that was the mantra of the Boston Bruins in the final month of the season. That or, “Holy crap, somebody help us -- the net has gotten smaller!” Leaving the ice as a winner just twice in the final nine games of the season -- beating the East-worst Florida Panthers and the East’s second worst club, the Tampa Bay Lightning -- fans in the Hub (rightfully) have plenty of concerns heading into the Bruins’ first round matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yes, even if it’s against a Leafs squad that’s by all means been completely picked apart by the Claude Julien coached B’s for nearly half a decade.

It’s been that downright unknown when it comes to the Black-and-Gold in 2013.

Boston, a team that averaged two goals per game in April, sits with Wednesday’s night series-opening contest on tap and still, it’s nearly impossible to throw out an accurate read on just how this series will play out. But alas, it’s my duty to present you (what I hope) will be answers to your questions.

1. Where does Jaromir Jagr fit into the Bruins’ playoff equation?

Through 11 games, it’s hard to dispute the fact that the Jagr-to-Boston trade was anything but a pure win for the B’s. Tallying two goals and nine points during his tenure in the Hub, the 41-year-old’s undoubtedly been everything you’d want from a trade deadline acquisition. Of course, you’d like to see from No. 68 on the man-advantage, but overall, it’s tough to complain about Jagr.

Hell, he’s become a fan-favorite in less than a month of playing here.

But just where does he play when the puck drops on Wednesday night? When at 100%, the Bruins have put Jagr on the right wing of the Bruins’ third line, a line centered by Chris Kelly, and featuring Swedish import Carl Soderberg on the opposite wing. But is that where he’ll stay when he returns to action after a two-game absence with the flu? I’m not sure.

Entering the first round, there’s been little to update the world on when it comes to the status of 2011 playoff hero, Nathan Horton, who’s been out Apr. 20 following his fight with the Penguins’ Jarome Iginla. Updated as ‘still day-to-day’ per Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli during yesterday’s teleconference with reporters, but practicing on the top line during today’s practice, there’s some uncertainty when it comes to Horton’s availability for the series.

So, just who gets Horton’s spot on Boston’s top-line (if he’s a no-go), and could it be Jagr?

While originally projected to be the Bruins’ first line when acquired, there’s been very few sightings of the Milan Lucic, David Krejci, and Jagr trio out there. Understandably, it’s appeared as if B’s coach Claude Julien hasn’t been a huge fan of that line’s defensive capabilities, instead turning to the speedy Rich Peverley or dogged determination of Kaspars Daugavins over No. 68. And with the exception of Daugavins, it wouldn’t be surprising to see tomorrow’s potentially sans Horton festivities begin with Peverley, not Jagr, with Lucic and Krejci.

If factual, with Peverley staying with No. 17 and 46, and the Bruins’ second line remaining untouched, the only realistic place to see Jagr would in fact be with Kelly on the club’s third line.

Bringing us to our next question....

2. Will Soderberg play?

Fans in Boston have waited almost six years to see Malmo, Sweden native Carl Soderberg to come over to don the Spoked-B. And through six games, fans know as much about the 6-foot-3 winger that they knew before he left Linkoping HC following their elimination from the Swedish Elite League playoffs just a few weeks ago. Tallying two assists and winning 7-of-13 battles at the dot, the 27-year-old skates in his first NHL postseason with a ton of questions around his name.

Is he ready to play? Is he going to play?

Without Horton, the answer seems like an obvious yes, especially when we see Soderberg logging significant minutes on the Boston power-play. But with Horton in the lineup, like he appears to be following today’s practice, Soderberg’s out.

But going back to the former point, at what level with Julien utilize a Swedish forward that’s without question still adjusting to life in the NHL if he does indeed play? Julien, never known as the risk-taker when it comes to playoff hockey, seemingly has to roll him out against an offensively-charged Leafs squad, no?

Again though, at what level, and just how many minutes are to be expected for No. 34? Is he honestly worth dressing if you’re going to limit him to just ten minutes a game over somebody like the bottom-six designed Daugavins?

Only time will tell, of course. But in this case, time is at a premium.

3. How will Rask react to return to postseason play?

In 2011, goaltender Tuukka Rask watched Tim Thomas steal the show night after night en route to the Bruins’ first Stanley Cup in 39 years. It was a staunch change from the year before when Rask was thee guy for a sixth-seeded B’s club that stunned the Sabres, and nearly advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals … until.. y’know...the bad times came to Boston. When it comes to Rask, his playoff resume (right or wrong) is headlined by the choke against Philly, and I don’t think that there’s a chance that we can sit here and deny the fact that he knows that, too.

This is Rask’s team. This is Rask’s year. This is Rask’s chance at redemption. And what better statement to make for Rask than a return to the starting role that's come with a regular season showing that included a .929 save-percentage and 19 wins in 34 starts? How about a series against the Maple Leafs, the team that drafted Tuukka with the 21st overall pick back in 2005, only to then trade him to Boston for Andrew Raycroft a year later?

When it comes to squaring off with Toronto, the Finnish netminder has won all but one of his career starts against Toronto, posting a 1.46 goals against average against 'em, too.

OK, so does the 26-year-old really need more motivation? Well, how about a long-term extension from Peter Chiarelli and the Bruins?

"You’re judged on your performance. That will apply to Tuukka," Chiarelli said of No. 40 and his contract status as the B's enter the playoffs. "That will apply to everyone who is up for an extension. Tuukka [Rask] is no different than the rest of them. He’s a restricted free agent this year, and after the season we’ll look at it and try to get him signed."

No pressure: You're only talking about the potential difference between Stanley Cup hero money and playoff goat money. Like I said, no pressure.

4. Return of the Lucic?

You painfully witnessed the struggles of the 6-foot-4 Milan Lucic for over three months. You cried out in agony as the top-liner scored just six goals and 24 points in the first 44 games of the season, but after a benching and 'wake up call' from the B's front office in the form of interviews that flat out called No. 17 out, it looks as if the 24-year-old is set to bust out the body-banging in the first round.

"He's moving his feet, strong on the puck, good shooting, physical," Chiarelli noted of Lucic's end to the season. "He’s really picked up his game, and that’s the type of game we need to have success in the playoffs."

When it comes to the style of Lucic, it's clear that he's at his best when he's the one seeking trouble, and seeking people to engage with. He can't be standing still out there waiting for the puck and/or people to come to him. He's simply too big, and teams know that letting him coast around is a benefit to their squad's overall play.

So what should we expect from Lucic when the puck drops tomorrow? A statement.

Whether it's with a big hit, a goal, or even a fight, I think that we're about to see the best from Lucic in 2013, and it begins with Game 1.

5. Will Phil Kessel be the game-changer he was in 2009?

It's probably the last thing fans in Boston want to see, but it's entirely possible. No, really, Phil Kessel, a player with just three goals in 22 career games against his former club, could be in line to absolutely torch the Bruins in this series.

While this will be his first with the Leafs, Kessel enters the postseason with nine goals and 14 points in his last 14 playoff games, and has simply been on fire to end the year, tallying points in all but six of the final 26 games of the season. Over that stretch, the Wisconsin-born winger has scored 16 goals and 36 points. Like I said -- straight fire, and it's coming towards a Boston defense that's been at times been completely victimized by speed.

NHL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS -- ROUND ONE

Eastern Conference...

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins over (8) New York Islanders in seven games...

This was a tough pick for me. As somebody that's got a ton of connections to the Islanders, it's been amazing to watch this team go on this run this year, and it's been incredible to watch John Tavares take the leap from budding star to superstar in the past two years. But when it comes to their matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, it's horrible. It's the only way to describe it. Of all the teams the Isles could've drawn in the first round, the Pens were the worst for them. The Boston Bruins? The Isles could hang with them. Caps? Oh my, they could hang with 'em. The Penguins? Not really.

On top of taking four of the five meetings between these teams in 2013, I just think that you're talking about a Penguins squad that's too deep in all three phases of the game.

The silver-lining, however, will be the continued presence of secondary scorers Josh Bailey, Michael Grabner, and Kyle Okposo, and you'll certainly see big-time stops from the 37-year-old Evgeni Nabokov, who's become more of a leader this year than I ever thought possible.

(2) Montreal Canadiens over (7) Ottawa Senators in seven games...

Ottawa's five-on-five play has been fantastic as of late, and while the return of Erik Karlsson means nothin' but good things for the Senators, I just have a feeling that Carey Price has found the perfect matchup to pull himself out of this funk.

I think you'll see No. 31 rise to the task, and this one will need overtime to determine who moves on, but I think this series is Montreal's.

These teams, man, they're so close. Gonna be a great series.

(6) New York Rangers over (3) Washington Capitals in six games...

Arguably the two hottest teams in the East -- the Rangers and Capitals. History favors the offensively-dynamo Caps when it comes to recent head-to-heads between the two, but I'm going with King Henrik and company in six. The difference makers in this series? The duo of Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan, whose recent surge will make it tough for Washington to match up with the rest of the Rangers' (finally) deep offense.

(4) Boston Bruins over (5) Toronto Maple Leafs in six games...

Tuukka Rask. Toronto Maple Leafs. Struggles aside, I'm going with No. 40 in Black-and-Gold.

More on all that tomorrow...

Western Conference...

(1) Chicago Blackhawks over (8) Minnesota Wild in four games...

Minnesota's ability to back into the postseason was quite amazing. Their series with the buzzsaw Chicago Blackhawks will be even more amazing in the sense that it's pretty much already over. Chi-town picks 'em apart in four games.

(7) Detroit Red Wings over (2) Anaheim Ducks in six games...

I've yet to be sold on the Anaheim Ducks this year, and I think that the Red Wings are the team that'll surely upset 'em just based on not only the regular season series, but also the Wings' experience and edge in net.

(3) Vancouver Canucks over (6) San Jose Sharks in seven games...

This series is gonna rule, but I'm thinking that we'll see the Canucks rise to the challenge and down Antti Niemi and company in seven. Home-ice, baby.

(5) Los Angeles Kings over (4) St. Louis Blues in five games...

I've gone with LA to make it to the Finals from the start, so I suppose I gotta stick with 'em here, too. No time to flip-flop. A tight, hard-checking series, but the Kings simply have the scoring to make this one a short series. Look for Jeff Carter to go bananas.

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