Bruins HC Jim Montgomery offers BLUNT response for benching David Pastrnak in 2-0 win against Kraken
Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery revealed that the reason David Pastrnak did not play in the third period was because he decided that.
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Jim Montgomery (L) and David Pastrnak (R) [Image via The Boston Globe/NHLPA]
Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery has once again become the talking point in the NHL world. After his ‘heated‘ exchange after Brad Marchand went viral a few days ago, his decision in the team’s 2-0 win over Seattle Kraken regarding David Pastrnak has now caused some stir.
At the TD Garden in Boston, the Bruins emerged as comfortable 2-0 winners and claimed their second win in 24 hours’ time. In this game, forward star David Pastrnak, found himself sitting on the bench for the entire third period despite having a good performance.
When asked about his decision to bench the alternate captain of the Bruins, Montgomery offered a blunt response. The 55-year-old simply claimed that he did it because it was his decision. He would offer no more explanation regarding this.
Coach’s decision third period. That’s all I’m going to comment on it.
Jim Montgomery said as per Scott McLaughlin.
Montgomery on Pastrnak not playing in the third: “Coach’s decision third period. That’s all I’m going to comment on it.” https://t.co/JTbdiEBKAy
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) November 4, 2024
This is though not the first time when Montgomery seems to have had trouble with Pastrnak. During the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, he called him out after a Game 6 loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs and urged him to ‘step up‘.
Pastrnak would do just that in Game 7 of the first-round series between the two rivals. His overtime goal would hand his team the win and eliminate the Maple Leafs in the process.
Charlie Coyle reveals David Pastrnak’s reaction to getting benched for the entire third period
After David Pastrnak sat the whole third period on the bench, several people were eager to learn the reason for this decision by Jim Montgomery and the player’s reaction. Following the game, Pastrnak’s teammate Charlie Coyle revealed his reaction.
While Coyle claimed that he did not know the full details regarding this decision, he admitted that Pastrnak was not quite on the bench. The forward kept on talking and bringing energy to the team.
I don’t know the full extent of what was going on. Whatever the coach says and whatever his decisions are, you just got to go play…Pasta (Pastrnak) wasn’t silent, though. He was bringing energy. He was talking; he was into it. That’s a sign of a good teammate right there. That’s why he wears a letter; that’s why he’s one of our captains, our leaders.
Charlie Coyle on David Pastrnak as per Scott McLaughlin
Charlie Coyle on how the bench reacted to David Pastrnak getting benched, how Pastrnak handled it, and Jim Montgomery’s message-sending: pic.twitter.com/IKentR9ezc
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) November 4, 2024
So far in the 2024-25 season, Pastrnak has been one of the top forwards for the Bruins. In 13 games played this season, he has scored six goals and picked up five assists, taking his points tally to 11. This could be the reason why some were stunned by the decision of Montgomery.
The Bruins though managed to get the result they wanted. After their 8-2 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes, they have bounced back strongly with two back-to-back wins. Their next encounter sees them go up against division rivals, the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Arena.
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Vinay Dave
(1812 Articles Published)