There’s no place like New England.
Fenway Park was a sight to behold Tuesday. With 10 championship trophies on display, the New England Patriots helped the Boston Red Sox bling in the new year with all the pomp and circumstance to be expected from two teams that won two titles in a four-month span.
It’s been more than 10 months since a city besides Boston has celebrated a championship in the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB, and it’s time for the Bruins and Celtics to go for the cycle.
Neither team enters the postseason with the expectations of the 108-win Red Sox or the Super Bowl-or-bust Patriots, but the B’s and C’s each have the potential to keep the far-fetched fantasy of Boston simultaneously holding all four championships within the realm of possibilities.
The road to this fantasy land, however, is a steep and slippery climb.
The first hazard the Celtics need to avoid is themselves.
That’s a major contrast between the Celtics and Bruins, and it’s been obvious all winter: The Bruins actually like each other.
For all of Kyrie Irving’s talent, his penchant for polarizing quotes has generated drama like an episode of the Real Housewives. He’s not the only Celtic who has taken time to unnecessarily vent to the media about the team’s dysfunction. Irving’s backup, Terry Rozier, was the latest after the regular-season finale on Tuesday.
“The season hasn’t been fun, personally,” the 2015 first-round pick said after scoring 21 points in a win. “I know there’s better things to come.”
Rozier clarified that team chemistry has improved and he’s ready for a “great playoff push,” but his unprompted gripe encapsulated a cringe-worthy regular season.
The untimely oblique injury to Marcus Smart hurts the Celtics even further. Not only will Boston miss his scrappy defense when the playoffs start this weekend, but he’s an emotional leader on a team that could use one.
Despite their flaws, the Celtics should still dispose of the short-handed Pacers. But the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, led by cheat code Giannis Antetokounmpo, will likely send the Celtics spiraling into a pivotal offseason.
Although the depth is there for a deep run, it’s tough to believe in a team comprised of individuals who don’t seem to believe in one another.
That’s not a concern for the Bruins. While the Celtics have been side-eyeing each other for much of the season, Brad Marchand and Torey Krug have been trading brotherly barbs on social media.
The Bruins begin their quest for the Stanley Cup with Thursday night’s game against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, and the B’s are far more likely than the C’s to be parading through Boston in early June.
However, the road to Lord Stanley is arduous – and that first step is a doozy.
Bruins fans should be confident going into the first round considering the seven-game triumphs over the Maple Leafs in 2013 and 2018. While we all remember how wonderfully those encounters ended, it’s also worth noting the anxiety along the way.
The Stanley Cup playoffs are unpredictable – as Tampa Bay’s Game 1 loss on Wednesday demonstrated – and it’s a grueling gauntlet through the Eastern Conference.
The potent top line of Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak will need some support, captain Zdeno Chara’s defense will need to be sturdy and goalie Tuukka Rask will need to occasionally stand on his head for the Bruins to have a chance at hoisting the Stanley Cup.
It always feels like there’s a chance in Boston, though.
The Red Sox and Patriots have already proven there’s no place like New England.
(Jason Orfao can be reached at jorfao@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JasonOrfao.)