The Boston Bruins have their very own version of Tik Tok at the moment. Unfortunately, it isn’t the fun app you scroll through watching anything and everything unfold. This version is spelled Tick Tock and it solely refers to the clock ticking away on Jim Montgomery’s job as Bruins head coach.
It’s no secret that the Bruins are off to a bad start. Well, a mediocre start let’s say. Boston sits at 7-7-2 through sixteen games. For the Bruins organization and their fans, it isn’t familiar territory. Surprisingly however it is still good for third place in the Atlantic division. A playoff spot, for now, however it’s becoming more and more of a concern watching this team as the same issues keep rearing their heads. Following another underwhelming week in which they finished 1-1-1 vs Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa respectively, the third-year coach was left at a loss for words Saturday Night. When asked about the teams struggles in third periods, Montgomery offered up a rather defeated “I don’t have an answer”. Yikes. Hardly a confident response for a coach and his group. When asked what he will do about it he gave an equally curious response; “We’ll talk about it. We’ll look at why and what we’re doing sports medicine-wise. Right now, I don’t have an answer for you”. Boston has been terrible in the third frame this season and its clear frustration is mounting. Could sports medicine be what’s at play here or is this a coach truly out of ideas? Let’s examine some of the stats. After dropping Saturday’s game vs Ottawa, the Bruins now have the worst third-period goal differential in the NHL at –11. On top of that they also have the second-worst third-period shot differential at –41. Ugly stuff. Especially for a team whose system has always relied upon strong finishes. Defense – and offense – has completely shifted in the third periods this year and one has to wonder just what is happening to cause the dramatic change. The Bruins hit a new low Saturday as they failed to record a single shot in the third period. According to The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont this was the first time they had managed such a stat since December 21, 2006 vs Vancouver. That’s almost twenty years. Clearly there is an underlying issue and if Jim Montgomery does not in fact have an answer soon, someone else might.
Don Sweeney is a methodical guy. He isn’t one to rush decisions when it comes to personnel both on and off the ice. However, with Montgomery in the last year of his three-year deal and no extension announced, the coach will have to find some solutions and soon. It’s early, or is it? Feels kind of mid-to-late quarter and that is usually when we start to see what teams are – or are not. Tick tock Jim. The clock is no longer on your side!
The Lookahead
The Bruins hit the road for a two-game trip starting Tuesday night in St. Louis and ending Thursday in Dallas. Saturday they then host the Blues at TD Garden for a 1pm matinee. St. Louis is hovering around 500 but the Stars, as expected, are off to a good start at 8-5. Another good test for the group and one that Montgomery needs to pass. Tick tock.
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant / Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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