It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the Florida Panthers are outmaneuvering the Boston Bruins in mind games, and they are currently excelling in every facet of the game—mentally, physically, and on the scoreboard. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery has taken note of this.
On Monday afternoon at TD Garden, the Panthers defeated the Bruins for the second time in just six days, winning 4-3. The match was intense, and the Bruins struggled to manage their frustration, which the Panthers exploited to their advantage. After the game, Montgomery expressed his disappointment with some of his players.
Jim Montgomery puts players on blast after latest Panthers loss
The opening night loss was undeniably frustrating, highlighting that the Panthers have gotten inside the Bruins’ heads, whether the team wants to admit it or not. Once again, Boston’s fourth line stood out as the Black and Gold’s best performers during the game. The other lines, however, struggled, and Montgomery was clear about that after the defeat.
“I’m really pleased with the bottom six … and the fourth line has been very impressive,” Montgomery said. “They’re fulfilling their roles, while the guys in the top six aren’t doing the same.”
Although Boston’s third line hasn’t been bad, it’s evident that the third-year Bruins coach is dissatisfied with his top-six forwards. To be fair, without contributions from the bottom six—especially the fourth line—Boston likely wouldn’t be a 2-2 team through their first four games.
The Bruins are heading out on a challenging three-game road trip against the Colorado Avalanche, Utah Hockey Club, and Nashville Predators, all of which will be tough matches. Their performance will depend on whether their top six take their coach’s message to heart and improve. If they don’t, the start of the season could become precarious. The October schedule is demanding, and the Black and Gold need their top six forwards to get it together—and fast.
Leave a Reply