Even before the Boston Bruins’ recent string of success, players had already made plans and booked their All-Star break get-a-ways to warmer climates.

A few days of rest and relaxation without thinking, talking or dissecting hockey will help the players recharge, so when they return to practice early next week they’ll be ready to continue their strong push for a playoff spot.

Currently, the Bruins are holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot with a 25-16-7 record (57 points). Boston is seven points ahead of the Florida Panthers in the wild-card race, and the Bruins are only seven points back of the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning.

When the suntanned Bruins return from the break, they will have 34 games remaining in the regular season to make their postseason push. Coach Claude Julien will have a healthy and consistent lineup, so there shouldn’t be any excuses now if the Bruins fail to reach the playoffs.

The Bruins have shown signs in the last few games that they can, and should, become a playoff threat once again. After Wednesday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Denver, the Bruins have earned points in 11 of their last 12 games, posting a 7-1-4 record in this stretch.

There are a few factors why the Bruins have improved, including a healthy roster, consistent lineup and outstanding goaltending from Tuukka Rask. All three will need to continue in order for the Bruins to earn their eighth consecutive trip to the postseason.

Due to the uncertainty regarding injuries, teams are always in need of depth. The Bruins seem to be OK in that area. And they have proven over the years that if Julien can roll four lines consistently with reliable combinations, it usually leads to success. That’s what we’ve seen during the team’s recent run.

Milan Lucic, David Krejci and David Pastrnak have built a resurgence on the team’s top line. Patrice Bergeron, the team’s lone All-Star representative, and his linemates Brad Marchand and Reilly Smith make up the Bruins’ best two-way line. The third unit of Chris Kelly, Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson has been Boston’s most consistent line the entire season. Of late, the on-ice chemistry between Soderberg and Eriksson, along with Kelly’s hard work, has been a lot of fun to watch.

Over the last few seasons when the Bruins have been perennial Cup contenders, it’s been the work of the fourth line -- the energy line -- that has been crucial for the team. For the majority of this season, that unit has been disjointed, but now Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and rookie Craig Cunningham are producing at both ends of the ice and Julien has regained trust in that unit.

Earlier this season the Bruins’ defense committed too many mental mistakes and it had a major effect on the team’s success. Boston has cleaned up its defensive play and it has translated into a stronger offensive output. The Bruins haven’t been scoring as much as they would like, but if their defensive zone coverage is where it needs to be, they should be all set.

It’s also no coincidence the Bruins are rolling now with rookie David Pastrnak in the lineup. The 18-year-old forward’s enthusiasm and drive have become infectious both on and off the ice. He has a genuine love of the game and his talents have helped Boston’s top line find its game.

The most important aspect to Boston’s renewed success has been Rask. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner struggled earlier this season, to a point where Julien made the comment that Rask “hasn’t stood on his head.” The goaltender has been tremendous of late and his teammates feed off Rask’s confidence. He’s the type of goaltender that once he finds his rhythm, he’s hard to beat.

In the final two back-to-back games before the break, Rask registered 70 saves total in a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday and a shootout loss to the Avalanche on Wednesday. He’s 8-1-4 in his last 13 starts, and no doubt the Bruins will need to rely on Rask the rest of the way.

Even though the Bruins were set back by injuries and inconsistencies earlier this season, there’s no reason this team can’t earn a postseason berth. No matter whether they finish as the wild card or as the top seed, the Bruins have the ability to make a serious push toward the Cup.

The players should enjoy their brief hiatus, because once they return from the break it will be a sprint the rest of the way.