Jim Montgomery wasn't happy about the way the Bruins finished Saturday's 3-2 loss in Philadelphia. He was even less happy about the way they started Monday's practice after a day off Sunday.
So, for the second time this season, Montgomery lined up his team on the goal line and had them skate wind sprints. According to reporters who were in attendance, there were some choice words shared as well.
After practice, Montgomery explained why he felt the need to play the "bag skate" card, one he has generally saved to be something of a last resort.
"I hated the way we finished the game in Philly. It was a good hockey game, playoff intensity, physicality to it, and I don't think I've done a good enough job of teaching the details and game management that we need, and then we weren't prepared to practice today," Montgomery said. "So, that's why. Those things coupled together – not ready to start practice on time, guys not knowing what we're supposed to be doing. I take responsibility for it, but there's gotta be some responsibility on the players, too."
With just 10 games remaining in the regular season, the message was clear: It's time for the Bruins to raise their game and their intensity to the level it's going to need to be at come playoffs.
"I don't think our team's ready yet for the playoffs," he said. "We have to continue to get tested, and we're gonna get tested."
Montgomery pointed to game management, specifically poor line changes and giving up odd-man rushes, as problems from Saturday that have been too common much of the season.
"Bad changes – we had a real bad change. We gave up five odd-man rushes in the third period," he said. "1-0 game, we gave up two. Tie the game, we give up one to go down 2-1. We tie the game, we give up another two in the last three minutes and they go ahead. That's the kind of thing we need to get better at."
"What needs to change is more accountability and our team valuing playing the right way, always," he added.
Montgomery pointed the finger at himself, but also made it clear that he believes that has to come from within each player as well, including the Bruins' captains.
"I think it's more individually, collectively, everybody's gotta take ownership," he said. "Captains gotta do their part, too."
Captain Brad Marchand also met with the media after Monday's practice, and didn't have any issue with Montgomery's tirade and the bag skate that ensued.
"Every day it's our job to be sharp and to be on the ball, and we weren't today," Marchand said. "So, it's a great reminder from Monty that expectations are high here. Completely warranted. Especially with the games we have coming up and where we're at in the season, we need to be dialed in every day, and we weren't at the start of the practice. So, great job by him to notice that, keep us accountable, and get us dialed in. Because after that, we were much better and competed very hard, at the level that's expected every day."
Those games coming up that Marchand mentioned are on the road against the Panthers on Tuesday and Lightning on Wednesday – two teams the Bruins will indeed need to be dialed in for if they're going to get points.
