After a heart-wrenching 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery didn't mince words when he pointed fingers at star forward David Pastrnak. With the first-round series now pushed to a nerve-wracking Game 7, Montgomery emphasized the need for top players to step up, singling out Pastrnak for not delivering when it mattered most.
"Your best players need to be your best players this time of year," Montgomery stressed. "I think the effort is tremendous. They need to come through with some big-time plays in big-time moments. [Brad] Marchand has done this throughout the series. [Pastrnak] needs to step up."
Pastrnak, who has tallied two goals and four points this postseason, struggled to make a significant impact for Boston, which had once held a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Bruins stumbled out of the gate in Game 6, getting outshot 12-1 in a lackluster first period. Despite showing signs of life later in the game, the Maple Leafs' tight defense suffocated Boston's scoring chances, leaving them frustrated and unable to find their rhythm until late.
Toronto, missing star forward Auston Matthews for the second straight game, showcased a resilient "next-man-up" mentality that the Bruins failed to match. Marchand acknowledged this, stating, "It's a tight game, and they were prepared to play from the first shift. We need to be better in that area."
The Bruins' slow starts have been a recurring issue, echoing their struggles in Game 5. Montgomery expressed frustration over this trend, calling the team's start "unacceptable" and emphasizing the need to start strong. He recognized the urgency of the situation, saying, "Toronto, they're starting on time. They're getting the advantage, they're getting the momentum. But it shouldn't take that long [for us]."
Boston finds itself in a familiar yet unwelcome position, reminiscent of last season's collapse against Florida after dominating the regular season. Montgomery, however, remains focused on the present, determined to address the team's shortcomings before Game 7.
"We're not living in the past," Montgomery asserted. "We're not living in the future. We're living in the present. We're not happy with our game. We'll get ready for Game 7 starting tomorrow."
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