By: Ryan Jainchill | Follow me on Twitter / X @Jainchill_Ryan
Amid a 0-2-1 stretch, Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery once again blended the forward lines. After the team’s 5-2 loss to the Dallas Stars last night, Montgomery shook up the forward group today at practice to spark a cold offense.
With the group being outscored 11-3 in their last three games and with what we know about the line combinations under Montgomery, it is no surprise that the forward core is constantly being shaken up to find consistency and success. As the team hosts Atlantic Division rival Toronto on Saturday, let’s see if Montgomery and his staff’s changes can get the team out of their funk.
Zacha – Lindholm – Pastrnak
Reverting to the Bruins’ top line from opening night, Montgomery hopes that the trio of Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm, and David Pastrnak can bring the team the top-line scoring that has been escaping them for a handful of games. The chemistry between Zacha and Pastrnak has been evident for the two-plus years they have played together, but finding that spark with Lindholm is crucial.
Pastrnak, who has been finding himself in the penalty box at an alarming rate recently, leads the team in scoring with five goals and one assist, two of which came on the power play. Getting their superstar going at five-on-five play is a catalyst for team success, and putting him back with Zacha should help.
Having three of the team’s most dynamic offensive players on the same line gives the team their best chance to generate offense. With the team’s struggling to generate offense at five-on-five play, reuniting the trio could give the Bruins a spark.
Marchand – Coyle – Poitras
This is a line fans have been clamoring to see: Matthew Poitras on the wing alongside Charlie Coyle and Brad Marchand. The Bruins’ young forward has played well over the last couple of games after starting the season on the injured reserve, winning his board battles and setting up his teammates for scoring chances. Playing him alongside two forwards looking to get back on track should be a recipe for success.
At 36 years old and recovering from three offseason surgeries, it is no surprise that Marchand has started slow. By putting him with a player he is comfortable with in Coyle and a young, speedy forward in Poitras, Montgomery hopes this gets their captain going. Marchand is the spark plug for this team, and when he’s off, the team tends to follow suit. Playing alongside Coyle and Poitras should give that second line a desperately needed jump.
Frederic – Geekie – Brazeau
The Bruins have struggled to produce on the third line this season. The trio of Morgan Geekie, Trent Frederic, and Justin Brazeau have only combined for two goals and five points, and for the team to get out of its funk, they need to be offensive contributors. The combination of speed and physicality is precisely what a Bruins third line should bring.
Brazeau, a healthy scratch at times this season, got on the board last night for his first goal of the year, scoring from his two new linemates on the powerplay. Montgomery seems to think their chemistry on special teams can continue at five-on-five, and with the different skill sets that the players bring, it’s logical to believe that it would. As shown last season, having a strong, offensively contributing third line goes a long way towards getting two points.
Beecher – Kastelic – Koepke
Nothing more needs to be said about the fourth line’s hot start. Last night, Cole Koepke was slated alongside Coyle and Frederic on the third line, breaking up the team’s most consistent line. At practice today, he is back alongside Johnny Beecher and Mark Kastelic and reuniting the fourth-best line regarding expected goals for a minimum of 60 minutes played together, according to MoneyPuck.com.
Koepke, who is second on the team in points with six, has been a bright spot on a rather cold offense. Kastelic and Beecher are right behind him with five points each, giving the trio a combined 16 points. Montgomery has rewarded the Bruins’ fourth line, with the group seeing more and more ice time each game. Their strong play, while unexpected, was welcomed and hoped to continue, but the Bruins’ success shouldn’t rely on the scoring production of their fourth line.
We will see if Montgomery’s changes spark some life in a struggling offense, especially in the top nine. The Bruins welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to TD Garden on Saturday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m.
Leave a Reply