Are Bruins Adjustments Coming For Game 3?

Getty Images

Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery has not been forced to make changes or work through difficult decisions for much of this season. But after a startling 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 2 Wednesday night, Montgomery spoke of possible changes “everywhere” in the Bruins’ lineup for Friday night’s Game 3 in Sunrise. The first playoff series can always be the toughest of them all, and the Bruins and Panthers are locked in a battle right now with the series tied at one game apiece.

With Patrice Bergeron still likely out of the lineup for Game 3 with an upper-body injury, Montgomery needs to find more production from all four lines. Brad Marchand turned in his best performance in the last few weeks with a goal and looking a lot more like himself. But Florida dominated the second line centered by David Krejci, with the Panthers holding a commanding 21-6 advantage against the Krejci line in the series.

For Live Post-Game content, subscribe to youtube.com/@insidetherink

The Bruins coach seems to be ready to shuffle around the lines a bit to shake things up for Boston. Montgomery could have Krejci center Marchand and Jake DeBrusk while Pavel Zacha reunites with Tyler Bertuzzi and David Pastrnak. This trio had success toward the end of the regular season. Bertuzzi had a goal in Game 2 and two assists in Game 1, and that line could be the Bruins’ best line in Game 3.

There were reports from New England Hockey Journal writer Mark Divver that center Oskar Steen was on the plane to Florida Thursday, and the team announced that the 25-year-old forward had been added to the roster on an emergency basis. If Steen plays, he could fill a center spot, and Zacha could be moved to wing unless there is another injury amongst the bottom-six forwards. Nick Foligno had an assist and five hits in Game 2 and has found his game after a long layoff. The Bruins will need more from Trent Frederic and Garnet Hathaway as the series’ nastiness has intensified.

The other area to consider is the defensive group. Montgomery could look to Matt Grzelcyk to replace Derek Forbort in the defensive pairings. A major concern for Boston has been puck management and the 15 giveaways on Wednesday, many of them committed by defensemen trying to exit the zone through a strong Panthers’ forecheck. Grzelcyk has struggled in previous postseasons with a minus-18 rating but does possess excellent skating and puck-moving ability.

This is a pivotal Game 3 for Boston and a chance to turn momentum back to the number one overall seed and regain the home-ice advantage. It is also a time for Jim Montgomery to put his first stamp on this series and make some lineup changes and adjustments that can steer the Bruins back to looking like the NHL’s top team.

Season 4. Episode 26. Is Swayman a Diva? Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Morgan Geekie Arbitration Rights? What's his deal look like?- Nikita Zadorov's seemed to blow off the idea Swayman was sticking up for a teammate. Trouble in paradise?- Torts is out in Philly. Is he a fit in Boston?- What kind of grade would you give Fabian Lysell since his call up?& 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 26. Is Swayman a Diva?
  2. Season 4. Episode 25. It's Not a Retool
  3. Season 4. Episode 24. Franchise Altering Deadline
  4. Season 4. Episode 23. Disappointing, Not Devastating
  5. Season 4. Episode 22. 4 Nations LIVE

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Vegas Golden Knights

NHL Game Preview: Vegas Golden Knights at Chicago Blackhawks with Line Combinations 3/28/2025

Vegas Golden Knights at Chicago Blackhawks Venue: United CenterDate: Friday, March 28Time: 7:30 pm CST TV: ESPN+ / SN360 / CHSN / SCRIPPSRadio:Vegas Golden Knights – Fox Sports Radio 98.9 FM / 1340 AMChicago Blackhawks – WGN Radio 720 AM DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:Vegas Golden -1.5 ML +1Chicago +1.5 ML -1O/U 5.5 Purchase tickets via […]

Read More

Pittsburgh Penguins Recall Ville Koivunen And Rutger McGroarty

With only eight games left in a fading season and the playoff picture growing increasingly distant amidst a frustrating cycle of wins and losses, punctuated by a current three-game skid, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in a move signaling a potential shift towards evaluating their future, recalled a few of their top prospects from the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton […]

Read More
Carolina Hurricanes

NHL Game Preview: Montreal Canadiens at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 3/28/2025

Carolina Hurricanes (43-24-4, 90 Pts) at Montreal Canadiens (33-29-9, 75 Pts)Venue: Bell CentreDate: Tonight – Friday, March 28Time: 7:00 pm EST TV: ESPN+, FDSSORadio:Montreal – TSN 690Carolina – 99.9 The Fan DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:Montreal +1.5 ML +260Carolina -1.5 ML -325O/U 5.5 Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster Montreal Canadiens News & Notes: The Canadiens have lost […]

Read More