Boston Bruins expect increase in hard hitting series against Toronto Maple Leafs

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) checks Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) into the boards during the third period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Boston, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. The Bruins won 4-1. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (The Associated Press)

Toronto Maple Leafs center Mikhail Grabovski (84) lies on the ice after a hard hit as Boston Bruins and Maple Leafs players grapple behind during the third period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Boston, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (The Associated Press)

BOSTON – The Boston Bruins expect another hard-hitting game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their first-round playoff series.

Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid says the physical nature of hockey increases in the playoffs and he doesn't mind.

After the Bruins beat the Maple Leafs 4-1 in Wednesday night's opener, several players still on the ice pushed and shoved each other near the penalty box. Boston defenseman Andrew Ference faces an NHL hearing on Thursday for elbowing Toronto forward Mikhail Grabovski in the head by the boards.

Ference was not penalized during the game.

The Bruins had lost seven of their last nine regular-season games and never scored more than three goals in any of them.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Saturday night in Boston.