The Stanley Cup Playoffs don’t begin for at least another month.
But the Bruins will have no shortage of litmus tests placed in front of them to test their postseason mettle down the stretch.
Starting with Thursday’s home contest against the Rangers, eight of Boston’s final 12 games on the regular-season docket are against playoff teams — including two battles against both the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers.
Thursday’s meeting between the Bruins and Blueshirts stood as a clash between the two top teams in both the Atlantic and Metro Divisions — handing Jim Montgomery and his team a much-needed measuring-stick matchup.