Bruins player pinpoints Montgomery's reason for success in Boston
When Boston fired Bruce Cassidy it was met with mixed reviews from the Bruins faithful, but not anymore.
Even when Jim Montgomery was hired as the new head coach, fans still didn't know how to feel, but it was obviously the right choice when looking at how this season is going. But what has made the Bruins that much more successful under Montgomery?
Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic recently talked with defenseman Mike Reilly, who shared one major change that has helped the team immensely.
Here's what Reilly had to say:
�'This year, the games I played, I didn't feel that. I felt like Monty's system, he lets guys play to their strengths. That's what I was excited for.''
Reilly, who has spent most of the season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL, appeared in 10 NHL games earlier this year, recording just one assist.
He does make an excellent point though, as the Bruins sit first in the league with a ridiculous 39-8-4 record. Montgomery has maxed out Boston's offensive capabilities, while not losing any of the solid defense they had under Cassidy.
This season, the Bruins have the sixth-best powerplay (24.6%), and the best penalty kill (85.6%), while they also have the second-most goals scored (193) and the least allowed (113).
SOURCE: Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, Bruins' Mike Reilly on being buried in the AHL: 'I was pretty crushed. Still am'.
| POLL | ||
Who would you rather have as the Bruins coach? | ||
| Jim Montgomery | 96 | 95 % |
| Bruce Cassidy | 5 | 5 % |
| List of polls | ||
