Sports Hub Underground: Is Jim Montgomery starting to feel the heat?
Matt & Ty return to the Sports Hub studios to talk more Bruins and whatever else is on their mind, as Halloween fast approaches. The most urgent, concerning Bruins topic that stood out to them over the past week: is Jim Montgomery starting to feel the pressure for his job as head coach?
(0:50) Opening banter on Matt’s new apartment, Ty’s back injury, and recent developments in pro wrestling.
(16:45) Reactions to the Bruins’ nice win over the Colorado Avalanche and what they pulled from that game that could be expected going forward.
(29:46) Thoughts on the Bruins’ latest line shakeups, and the performance of the one line that shouldn’t be touched.
(36:30) Is Jim Montgomery in trouble for his job?
(47:05) Follow-up thoughts on the Bruins’ newest forward lines.
(54:55) It’s another spooky “Big 3”, as the guys draft curses/hexes.
Subscribe to the Sports Hub Underground wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple: https://apple.co/3AICTPR
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3j5ibDR
Google: http://bit.ly/38pPKIG
More options: https://bit.ly/3tSKABs
3 Stars: Bruins deliver against Avalanche
Third Star: Cale Makar
DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 16: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins fights for the puck against Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at Ball Arena on October 16, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Avalanche can cite their injuries and a plethora of new faces in their lineup, but it’s been downright weird to see them look this human through the first week and change of the new season. But Wednesday in Denver came with yet another strong outing from Colorado’s Cale Makar, as Makar factored in on all three Colorado tallies (all on the man advantage) with one goal and two helpers by the night’s end.
Makar is now up to two goals and nine points in nine career games against the Bruins.
Second Star: Hampus Lindholm
Oct 16, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (27) celebrates his goal with teammates in the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
After a 2023-24 season spent in more of a defensive role than anything else, Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm has returned to the offensive zone with a bit more regularity, and the results are starting to show up.
On the board with a goal and an assist, Lindholm was constantly pushing play the other way, and helping the Bruins pin the Avalanche in their own zone with strong reads and quick decisions. That’s always been when Lindholm is at his best, especially the latter, as Lindholm’s timing in the offensive zone and ability to keep the play moving at a pace that wears down the opposition has always been an underrated weapon in his arsenal.
Here’s a fun stat for you: Through five games, Lindholm has attempted 31 shots. That’s the second-most on the Bruins (only David Pastrnak has attempted more, with 40). It’s also the 16th-most in the entire NHL through the first week-plus of the year, and is the fifth-most among defensemen. The only defenders with more shot attempts this year: Rasmus Dahlin, Roman Josi, Evan Bouchard, and Dougie Hamilton. That’s good company to find yourself in if you’re a blue liner looking to create some offense.
First Star: Cole Koepke
Oct 16, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) checks Boston Bruins left wing Cole Koepke (45) in the third period at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
If there’s one thing that stands out about Boston’s current fourth line, which just continues to absolutely dominate the opposition, it’s that they find ways to absolute stuff the hell out of their minutes. Give them six minutes and they’re gonna make the statistician’s mind explode with what they’re forced to track. Give them 12 minutes and they’re gonna do the same, but also get the scorekeeper in on the madness when the find the back of the net.
That line’s right winger, Cole Koepke, managed to do both on Wednesday night, as he was on the board for Boston’s first goal of the evening and finished with four shots, seven hits, and a plus-3 rating in 14 minutes of action.
The way this line moves the puck, especially below the dots, has been a factor in every Bruins game this year, and Koepke’s smarts and refusal to ever get caught standing still sticks out in that regard.
