Didn't it seem almost inevitable? Yes, there aren't many things in athletics that are sure, especially when it comes to winning a championship.
However, for the most of the past few months, lifting a trophy at TD Garden over the parquet flooring or ice sheet seemed to be a given.
The two prominent tenants on Causeway Street were preparing for a historic spring playoff push.
Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci's comebacks helped the Bruins become more than just a happy ending.
They were a force to be reckoned with, dominating their way to a league-high 65 victories and 135 points in 82 games.
The Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown-led Celtics were ready to make up for their heartbreaking Finals loss to the Warriors from the previous year.