Bruins

‘I got to be better’: Jim Montgomery shoulders responsibility for Bruins’ slow start

The Bruins struggled for more than two periods on Friday before finally coming to life in the third period.

Jim Montgomery didn't have much of an explanation for the Bruins' lackluster first two periods, but he did take the majority of the blame for it. (Photo by Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff)

By Colin McCarthy

May 10, 2024

The Bruins came out flat against Florida on Friday night, a growing theme throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

That slow start came back to bite them, as the Panthers took a 3-0 lead into the locker room for the second intermission, all while Boston struggled to get pucks on net.

The Bruins came alive after Florida’s fourth straight goal, but by then it was too late to stage a comeback. After the game, Jim Montgomery didn’t have much of an explanation for the lackluster start, but he did shoulder the majority of the blame for it.

“Last two periods of last game and the first two periods tonight have just not been good enough,” Montgomery told reporters. “And that’s why I say that’s my fault, I got to be better.”

“I don’t know. It’s not good enough, that’s all I know,” Montgomery continued when asked what the reason was for the sluggish start.

In the four periods Montgomery referred to, periods 2 and 3 of Game 2 and the first and second of Game 3, the Bruins were outscored 9-0 by Florida. In fact, there were 10 Panthers goals in between the Bruins opening goal of Game 2 and their next tally in period 3 on Friday night.

Opening the game with five or fewer shots on goal through the first period was an unwelcome yet increasingly familiar sight for Boston. The Bruins had similar struggles out of the gate late in their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but overcame those issues to advance in the NHL postseason.

Against as tough an opponent as the Panthers, though, those struggles are seemingly amplified and much harder to overcome.

Montgomery noted that while it’s too soon to decide on changes ahead of Game 4, that isn’t out of the question.

“We got to do our due diligence, look at the game again and see who is executing, and who’s playing with the effort that you guys have asked about,” Montgomery said.

Boston will take the ice again on Sunday for Game 4, and Montgomery had a simple goal for his team on Saturday morning as they look to avoid going down three games to one in the series.

“Get a good night’s sleep, come to the rink tomorrow and get better.”