Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery is not against switching up his lines as last season, the first-year Bruins coach would often do, including in-game. Coming into this season, Montgomery wasn’t so sure he would tinker with the lines much due to several new players. However, citing “not much 5-on-5 offensive generation”, Montgomery rolled out new groupings in practice on Monday ahead of a West Coast trip that begins with a game Thursday in San Jose.
Montgomery told the media that the changing is lines “all positive” and a way to get guys to know each other and play together. The coach sensed that a spark was needed after the Bruins battled through two tough wins at home to begin the season. Now, it will be time for the Bruins to work on their even-strength offense, which hasn’t been able to generate much. Boston scored two power-play goals and a penalty shot goal on Saturday night in a 3-2 win over Nashville and have just two 5-on-5 goals this season.
In Monday’s practice, here are the new lines Montgomery rolled out that will be on display in San Jose:
DeBrusk-Zacha-Pastrnak
Marchand-Poitras-Geekie
Van Riemsdyk-Coyle-Frederic
Lucic-Beecher-Lauko
Lindholm-McAvoy
Grzelcyk-Carlo
Forbort-Shattenkirk
Ullmark
Swayman
One of the key moves involves putting Jake DeBrusk on his natural left wing after spending nearly a season and a half on the right side of the top line. DeBrusk will also be with new linemates Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak. Pastrnak has three goals on the season, but one on the penalty shot and an empty net goal. DeBrusk had 27 goals last season but has yet to score in the first two games with six shots on net.
Rookie center Matthew Poitras now gets to play with Brad Marchand on his left wing. The two played together at times in the preseason, and Morgan Geekie remains on Poitras’ right wing. The Bruins are hoping that having Marchand, who has scored 372 goals in his career, on Poitras’ line with give the 19-year-old an offensive threat to complement his smooth playmaking ability.
The third line has the potential to do some damage, with James van Riemsdyk joining Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic. JVR scored two power-play goals Saturday night but has yet to score an even-strength goal. Coyle and Frederic are now reunited after playing much of last season together, with Frederic scoring a career-high 17 goals in 2022-23.
It might be a bold move to change up lines after winning the first two games, but this is the time to do it with the team away from home, and as Montgomery said, it gives guys a chance to have dinner together and get to know each other. We will see if the Bruins, who are second in the league in 5-on-5 shot attempts, can find the net with their new linemates.
