Getty Jim Montgomery frustrated on the bench.
Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery is not happy with the schedule for his team’s first-round Eastern Conference playoff matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Montgomery said his team, which has the home ice advantage in the seven-game series, should not have to spend two days off — April 25 and 26 — in Toronto between Games 3 and 4.
“I would have rather been [in Boston] … if I’m being honest. I think we’re spending more time in Toronto than Toronto’s spending in Boston — and we’re the home team,” Montgomery told reporters April 24, ahead of Game 3 that night.
Boston went 1-1 in two home matches to open the series. Game 4 is scheduled for April 27. Game 5 will be back in Boston on April 3, with Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) split between Toronto and Boston, respectively.
“[W]hile the comforts of home shouldn’t be discounted, the one extra day in Ontario shouldn’t impact the Bruins too much when it comes to playing the games,” WBZ’s Michael Hurley wrote on April 24.
“I think we’re spending more time in Toronto than Toronto is spending in Boston. We’re the home team.”
Jim Montgomery is not a fan of the Bruins/Leafs schedule.
Bruins Dealing With Injuries on Defense
Boston also enters Game 3 on April 24 with some injuries as defenseman Andrew Peeke, who the Bruins acquired at the deadline from the Columbus Blue Jackets is out week-to-week.
Peeke suffered an undisclosed injury during the second period on Monday’s Game 2 loss, and Montgomery says losing him is a tough blow.
“It is a tough blow, he’s been really good for us,” Montgomery said, via NHL.com. “Everybody that’s on the trip, every defenseman that’s on the trip, (Mason) Lohrei, (Parker) Wotherspoon…they play really good hockey for us, so it’s a position of strength for us. The depth is good.”
With Peeke being injured, Lohrei is expected to play on the top pair alongside Charlie McAvoy.
However, Derek Forbort returned to practice on April 22, but Montgomery said he won’t be an option in Game 3.
“He’s not week-to-week anymore, he’s day-to-day,” Montgomery added. “But as far as being an option for game 3, we don’t see it.”
Bruins Pleased With Goaltending Play
Boston has continued to alternate goalies, as Jeremy Swayman started Game 1 and despite winning, Montgomery turned to Linus Ullmark in Game 2.
Swayman is projected to start in Game 3, and although the Bruins lost Game 2 with Ullmark in net, Montgomery said he had no regrets over his decision. He also believes the goaltending has kept them in the games.
“Toronto didn’t give us many odd-man rushes, we had three from our calculations…we only gave up two. It’s one of those games where we need to win more 1-on-1 battles low, at both ends, to be able to create more offense,” Montgomery said.
“Defensively, I thought we were better in a lot of areas that we think are really important. Our goaltenders have been up to the task. Offensively, it’s just not there, and we need to be better on the forecheck, we need to be more patient once we have it as far as when to attack the net, and our decision-making with the puck in the offensive zone,” Montgomery added.
Game 3 is set to take place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on April 24 at 7 p.m. Eastern time.