Jim Montgomery Signals This Player Is On His Way To Get Sent Down

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Austin Sabourin
December 10, 2023 (10:46)

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Boston Bruins rookie Matthew Poitras faced a challenging two-game stretch, experiencing a healthy scratch in Thursday's loss to the Buffalo Sabres and a reduction in playing time during Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes at TD Garden.

In the win against the Coyotes, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery made a strategic decision to keep Poitras off the ice in the third period, emphasizing the importance of game management. Despite Poitras contributing an assist in the second period, Montgomery prioritized players he believed would enhance the team's chances of securing the win.

"Valuing game management is something that we've talked to him about," Montgomery explained to reporters. "It's still lacking in his game right now. We are paid to win hockey games, and I'm going to go with the guys that I think are going to win us hockey games."

While acknowledging Poitras's effort and his contribution to a key goal, Montgomery opted to rely on Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic at the center positions during the crucial final period. Coyle logged the second-highest ice time among Bruins forwards with 20:17, while Frederic played 15:13.

Montgomery justified the decision, stating,

"I liked the effort (from Poitras). I used Frederic a lot in the center position, too, in the pivot position. It's a demanding position for us, especially down low. We figured we were going to spend a lot of time down low in the third period just with the way they were pressing. That's the way it worked out."

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