BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins enter the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs as the favorites to win it all.

They've reached the finals twice in a three-year span, hoisting the Cup with a victory over the Vancouver Canucks in 2011 and losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013.

This spring, the Bruins are bigger, better, stronger and hungrier. Their experience and maturity make them a dangerous team, a team better prepared than the two previous ones that reached the finals.

"Every team is different," said Bruins forward Brad Marchand. "It's tough to top a team that you win with, but we definitely have a great team in here. A lot of great talent and we're very deep this year, and I think that's what makes a great team. Hopefully we can put it all together in the playoffs."

Patrice Bergeron had his best season, recording 30 goals and 32 assists for 62 points, and should win the Selke Trophy. Eric Canha/CSM

Boston is a better all-around team than it was in 2011 and 2013. Start with its top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Jarome Iginla. That trio was consistent the entire season. It's also no coincidence that Krejci, who had a team-leading 69 points, and Lucic (59 points) produced career years with Iginla as their linemate.

Patrice Bergeron also had his best season (not that he's ever had a bad one) and recorded 30 goals and 32 assists for 62 points. He should win the Selke Trophy.

Goaltender Tuukka Rask is a top candidate for the Vezina Trophy. He finished with a 36-15-6 record, 2.04 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage in 58 games. He also led the league with seven shutouts.

The Bruins' power play is the best it's been in years. The penalty kill is strong as usual. Despite injuries to key players Dennis Seidenberg and Adam McQuaid, less-experienced players have stepped up and been solid, including Dougie Hamilton, Matt Bartkowski, Torey Krug and Kevan Miller.

Boston's third line of Chris Kelly, Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson has built an impressive chemistry, and if the Bruins learned anything from 2011, it's how important a productive third line is.

Then there's the ever-present energy line of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton. So, when Bruins coach Claude Julien looks down his roster, he sees consistency and talent -- and a team that, as a whole, is better than the two previous ones that reached the finals, and probably the best in franchise history.

Sure, anything can happen in the Stanley Cup playoffs that could derail Boston's chances of a deep run, but that's where experience comes into play.

Led by captain Zdeno Chara and assistant captains Bergeron, Krejci and Kelly, the current roster is stocked with players who know how to handle pressure.

The group that won in 2011 was special. It was a mix of veteran leaders and young talent. During that summer of celebration, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli & Co. knew they had created the blueprint of a perennial Stanley Cup contender. Unlike many other Cup-winning teams, Chiarelli made it a goal to keep the core group intact.

Chiarelli has managed the salary cap well, made significant trades and signed important free agents. It's all equaled success in Boston.