A Frustrated Jim Montgomery Feeling the Heat?

Brian Fluharty - Getty Images - 2022

Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery expressed his frustration with his team Monday after a 4-3 loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the second loss to Florida this season. The Panthers have eliminated the Bruins each of the last two postseasons and seem to have the Bruins’ number. Boston spent the offseason adding size and toughness to their lineup, only to see the same results so far this season. After the game, Montgomery did not mince words and mentioned a primary reason for Florida’s dominance over Boston:

“They’re winning the mental side of the battle on us,” Montgomery said bluntly. “Yep, Pasta got hit. And I love, love what Pav did. Went in, defended him. That’s great. But the penalties after that, I mean, it’s just not disciplined. It’s all four games [this season] that we take at least four minors. You can’t win hockey games that way.”

Montgomery is in the midst of the last year of a three-year contract as the Bruins’ head man. Boston had a historic regular season two years ago, winning 65 games, and was a point off the Atlantic Division race last season with 109 points. However, the Bruins were bounced from the playoffs after blowing a 3-1 series lead two years ago and lost to Florida in the second round in six games last season. The Panthers seem to get under the skin of Bruins’ players, and Boston has had emotional responses to Florida’s antics. This is something that Montgomery says can not happen.

Montgomery also pointed to Florida winning pucks and playing with more effort, which the Bruins have to improve upon if Boston is going to get past the Panthers this season:

“You can’t lose as many battles as we do,” Montgomery said. “They’re the standard right now in the NHL for winning battles, and we’re not up to that level yet. We have to vastly improve to that level.” The Bruins are getting good production from the fourth line, but it is the top two lines that have struggled, particularly the second line of Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and Morgan Geekie, who are a combined minus-11 as a unit with zero points 5-on-5:

“Really happy with the bottom six,” Montgomery made sure to note. “The fourth line has been very, very impressive. They’re just doing their role,” Montgomery added before then calling out those above them in the lineup. “Guys in the top six aren’t doing their role. They are doing their role.”

Boston will need to respond to another loss to Florida as they embark on a three-game road trip beginning in Colorado Wednesday night, however, the Panthers will continue to be in the back of their minds as they try to figure out how to beat a more disciplined team that clearly has all the confidence in the world against them. If they do not figure it out, Jim Montgomery could be fearful of losing his job.

Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G. Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Brad Marchand wins his second Cup.- Bruins are in on another overseas player. Maxim Shabanov of the KHL. Is this the only real route they can take now?- Bruins Development Camp Roster is out. What are some intriguing names?- More teams shopping draft picks. Will the Bruins be able to trade the 7th pick?- Troy Terry is potentially available. Is he a fit for the Bruins?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  2. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  3. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.
  4. Season 4. Episode 34. Marco? Polo?
  5. Season 4. Episode 33. Sweens Extension

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Sam Bennett accepting the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The Florida Panthers Extend Sam Bennett

He said it himself at E11even, he wasn’t leaving. One of the biggest free agents is now off the market and locked up long term as the Florida Panthers announced Friday night ahead of the draft that he’d been extended. Bennett’s been a huge part of Florida’s success in the postseason en route to back-to-back […]

Read More

Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood Traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired right-shot centre Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick (77th overall) and a conditional 2027 second-round pick, alongside prospect Gavin Brindley. The conditions of the 2027 second-round pick are that the pick will be the lower of Columbus’ second-round picks […]

Read More
Detroit Red Wings Linked to New York Islanders Defenseman

Noah Dobson traded to the Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders for Emil Heineman and both the 16th and 17th overall picks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Chris Johnston of The Athletic confirms the deal is a sign-and-trade as Dobson signs an eight-year contract worth $9.5 million annually. It will be interesting […]

Read More