BEDFORD – “Miscommunication.”
Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery repeatedly emphasized that word during a press conference on Thursday afternoon prior to the team’s departure for Florida from Hanscom Air Force Base.
The Bruins had a chance to eliminate the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of their opening round Stanley Cup playoff series on Wednesday night at the TD Garden but were thwarted 4-3 in overtime. Adding insult to injury, the game winner was scored by despised villain Mathew Tkachuk at 6:05 of the extra frame.
Montgomery said the setback in Game 5 was caused by miscommunications in the Bruins’ end that created turnovers at critical moments. The Bruins made a host of similar miscommunication errors in their 6-3 loss at home in Game 2.
Montgomery said that problem has been clarified headed into Friday night’s Game 6 encounter with the Panthers at FLA Live Arena. The Bruins swept Games 3 and 4 in Florida to lead the series 3-2.
“Communication on goals against needs to be higher, that is probably the biggest takeaway that we need to improve on and we need to improve getting to the net,” said Montgomery.
“For whatever reason, in the two games we lost those were the things that have killed us and they were at home. We are not making these gaffes on the road. We are simplifying there so this is an opportunity for us to get better.
“We always try and learn from what happens win or lose. But now we move forward and our focus goes with having the right attitude moving forward.”
A pair of costly miscommunication turnovers involving a combination of improperly positioned players in the Bruins’ end led to the first and last goals.
“There was miscommunication on the first goal and miscommunication behind the net on the OT winner and miscommunication on the second goal we gave up as well,” said Montgomery. “The only one that wasn’t was the power play goal they scored.”
Montgomery anticipates the Panthers will elevate the aggressive tactics that created those game-altering turnovers while the Bruins must enact counter measures to prevent a repeat performance.
“Florida has been really good in these last two games and they came out hard last night and again they were the better team in the first period,” said Montgomery. “I expect them to keep doing what they have been doing, which is playing aggressively, being physical and getting to our net.
“We need to put them on their heels and that’s the mentality and the attitude we need to have.”
The Pasta principle
Bruins right wing David Pastrnak has not found the back of the net in the playoffs with the same consistency he enjoyed while scoring 61 goals in the regular season. Pastrnak failed to make the scoresheet in Game 5 despite skating 30 shifts and recording 23:47 minutes with 5:52 on the power play. Pastrnak has scored twice in five games, with one on the power play, on 18 shots.
“In the playoffs everything gets magnified and he has two goals in five games,” said Montgomery. “I am not a mathematician but is that a 40 goal-pace?
“He is a 20-goal pace behind but it is a small sample size. If he gets two next time, he is back to a 60-goal pace and that is what we expect and that is what he has shown for us.”
Pastrnak is dealing with the double whammy of the Boston fans’ inflated expectations combined with the extra attention he is receiving from the Panthers.
“I need to shoot the puck more, take a couple of more shots,” said Pastrnak. “I am going with a shooting mindset. One side wants to see me score goals and the other side does not. I honestly like that and I have the shooting mentality I have had all year long.”
Bobrovsky chronicles
Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky set aside 44 shots in Game 5 to pick up his first victory in the playoffs. Bobrovsky replaced Alex Lyon in Game 4 and will likely remain between the pipes for the rest of the series.
Bobrovsky and Bruins left wing Nick Foligno were teammates with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Foligno is the Bruins’ authority on all things Bobrovsky.
“He is a guy that I know very well and obviously he has been a great goaltender in this league,” said Foligno. “A lot of times with great goaltenders it is not a secret recipe.
“It is pressure, it is traffic, it is pucks on him all the time to tire him out. That is what they are trying to do to our goaltender.”
Krejci makes trip
Montgomery said second-line center David Krejci will be making the trip but has “a couple of more boxes to check before he is safe to play.” Krejci has been off the grid since suffering an upper body injury in Game 2.
Montgomery expressed confidence with using Linus Ullmark in goal for Game 6 but did not rule out the possibility of starting Jeremy Swayman. Montgomery said the staff will consider reinstating forward Trent Frederic for Game 6. Frederic has played with a variety of linemates in the playoffs.
