Montgomery: Bruins' early struggles hopefully create better playoff result
Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery is keeping the big picture in view amid his team's lackluster 1-4-1 stretch.
"We had a lot of success the last two years," Montgomery said after Thursday's 8-2 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes. "We were first place in the league at Thanksgiving the last two years. We never achieved anything we wanted to. Right now, we're not happy. Nobody's happy with what's going on, but we will get out of it, and we will be better, and, hopefully, it creates a better result come playoff time."
The Bruins are last in the Atlantic Division with a 4-6-1 record. Boston has a minus-13 goal differential and has been thoroughly outplayed at even strength, ranking 28th in the NHL in five-on-five shot share, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Boston was 8-0-1 on Oct. 31 last year and had a plus-15 goal differential. The Bruins finished the campaign second in the Atlantic and lost in the second round against the Florida Panthers. Boston also lost to the Panthers in the playoffs in 2023 after winning the Presidents' Trophy in a dramatic first-round upset.
Star forward David Pastrnak admitted the Bruins struggled at even strength in the loss against Carolina.
"We just weren't good enough five-on-five at all," Pastrnak said. "They were all over us. We have to be better."
The Bruins were outshot 37-15 against the Hurricanes, managing just five shots on goal in each period. Carolina limited Boston to eight shot attempts at five-on-five through 40 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Pastrnak and the Bruins will look to right the ship Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.