Montgomery Shakes Up Lines Ahead Of Road Trip
When the Boston Bruins begin their four-game road trip in San Jose on Thursday, rookie sensation Matthew Poitras will receive a promotion and veteran center Charlie Coyle will return to the 3C position.
Only two of the Boston Bruins’ six goals—who are 2-0-0 so far—have been scored at even strength.
Although Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery prefers to make adjustments during games rather than switching up the forward lineups every few games, he decided that this would be a good time to switch Poitras and Coyle.
Montgomery told reporters on Monday that the sample size was only two games.
“We’re heading out on the road.
That somewhat affects the reason why.
However, I haven’t seen a lot of offensive 5-on-5 generation.
Again, a small sample size.
I just feel like trying something else to get a spark because I trust my eye behind the bench, and after I follow it up and watch it on video.
“.
After switching the second and third line centers, Jake DeBrusk was left on the left wing, Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak were on the top line, and Poitras was centering captain Brad Marchand and Morgan Geekie.
Montgomery is encouraged by Poitras’ offensive flair so far and thinks he can give Marchand and Geekie more opportunities.
Montgomery said of the 19-year-old rookie, who has seven more games left to play before the Boston Bruins must decide whether to keep him on an entry-level contract or send him back to the Guelph Storm (OHL), “He’s generated a lot of offense already.”.
“And obviously, you put a true elite player like Marchy on his line, and I’ve always admired Geekie’s game.
Just checking to see if there is offensive chemistry. And on the other line, I believe that pairing JD [DeBrusk] with the other two players—Zach and Pastrnak—gives us a really good rush line with a lot of speed and creativity.
Who knows again if it will succeed.
Montgomery is hoping the new third line, which consists of Trent Frederic (6-foot-2, 220 lbs), James van Riemsdyk (6-foot-3, 208 lbs), and Coyle (6-foot-3, 218 lbs), can eventually serve as a shutdown line.
Montgomery said of Coyle and Frederic, “They’re both good defensively.”.
So I can put them up against the best offensive line from another team if I want to.
They work well together, but most importantly, the O-zone time. And because he likes that net-front, I believe a person like van Riemsdyk really helps them make that connection. Freddy really excels at getting open as F3 and shooting, while Charlie enjoys possessing it.
“.
On Monday during practice, the lineup appeared as follows:.
Forwards
Jake DeBrusk-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand-Matt Poitras-Morgan Geekie
James van Riemsdyk-Charlie Coyle-Trent Frederic
Milan Lucic-John Beecher-Jakub Lauko
Extra: Patrick Brown, Danton Heinen
Defensemen
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort-Kevin Shattenkirk
Extra: Ian Mitchell
Goalies
Linus Ullmark
