The Bruins' leading scorer is a player who was a healthy scratch to begin last season's playoff run. Before that, of course, Tyler Seguin was the second player drafted overall in 2010 – quite a journey in a short time.

Last year, Tyler Seguin was a just-drafted, fresh-out-of-junior rookie trying to adapt to the NHL. This season, the Bruins sophomore is showing a maturity beyond his soon-to-be 20 years.

After notching 22 points (11 goals and 11 assists) in 74 games last year, Seguin sits atop the Bruins with 40 points in 44 outings; his 17 goals are also a Boston-best, tied with Nathan Horton. While his production has tapered off late – just two assists in his last six games – it's the first time anyone has whispered the term "sophomore slump" around Seguin.

"It wasn't easy on me last year, I can definitely admit that," he told ESPN Boston. "I was used to being the top guy all the time in juniors and now I'm being scratched for the first time in my life, and more than once or twice."

Seguin watched from the press box as the Bruins knocked out the Canadiens and Flyers in the first two rounds. He finally got a chance in the Tampa Bay series opener and took advantage with six points in the first two games. He remained in the lineup for all but one game the rest of the way, despite just once more assist in that span.

Dealing with the ups and downs of life as a rookie and an NHL season can be overwhelming and confusing. But Seguin wasn't alone.

"To have guys like Bergy [Patrice Bergeron] and Rex [Mark Recchi] around for me through that and helping me understand why I was being scratched and what I needed to do to be better was huge. I can't thank them enough," he said.

"To be able to let alone play with a future Hall of Famer like Mark Recchi but also learn how to be a pro from him and how to do the little things to be better was just amazing. Then to still be playing with a guy like Bergy this season, who is a true pro too, has made me just want to elevate my game and be the best I can be."

Seguin has done that this year, easily surpassing his rookie totals while posting a league-leading plus-34 differential. Seguin's strong season was recognized by the league with an invite to this year's All-Star Game, joining teammates Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas.

"He's matured and he's learning the ropes quickly," Bergeron said. "I'm not surprised either, because last year we won the Cup and you can't really ask for a better experience as a rookie than winning the Cup. He got to learn how to win, learn how to be professional and that's how he learned how to be a better player."

Just 26 but already in his eighth NHL season, Bergeron has served as a role model for Seguin. Like his young teammate, the Bruins' alternate captain jumped from junior to the NHL as an 18-year-old in 2003-04. As the years have passed, he's become one of Boston's most important players on the ice and in the room.

"To have a guy be a leader like that at such a young age is great and good for me at my age," Seguin admitted. "He's there for me on and off the ice and I just try and watch him, listen to him and then analyze all that and put it into my game.

"It's an honor to play with him and a great privilege as well because I'm learning so much from him every day."

That influence, packaged with Seguin's skills, should reach new heights in the years to come. That's good news for the Bruins. Not so much for the opposition.

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