Bruins Notes: Complete Effort Propels Boston To Best Game Of Season

The Bruins exploded for five goals against the Colorado Avalanche in the best game of their 2024-25 season so far. Led by three power play goals, Boston checked off three boxes that head coach Jim Montgomery has been looking for in the previous four games — start on time, execution and effort.

“I think that’s the best team game we’ve had so far this year,” Montgomery told reporters in Colorado. “I thought it was a complete 60-minute effort. They’re a really good team, and they’re going to have their moments, but I thought that our … I really liked our poise.”

Hampus Lindholm had a goal and an assist in the win and recognized the all-around effort of the Bruins.

“I think we came out as a team, played a pretty solid game overall,” Lindholm told reporters. “… I think we really stepped up and played more of that Bruins hockey that we’re known for.”

Once again, the Bruins’ fourth line excelled with goals from Johnny Beecher and Cole Koepke, prompting more ice time for the duo and center Mark Kastelic.

“I think we’ve got to stop calling them the fourth line,” Montgomery said. “I mean, it’s impressive the way they’ve been playing. They’re earning all the ice time they’re getting, and their details, their work ethic, their puck support of one another, offensively and defensively, is allowing them to have tremendous success.”

Montgomery added: “I think I’ve always been a coach that, you go out, and you need to play the right way, and you’re showing effort and execution, you’re going to get rewarded with ice time. We’ve got to continue to build that throughout the lineup.”

Here are more notes from Wednesday’s Bruins-Avalanche game:

— Montgomery called out the top six forward group following Monday’s loss to the Florida Panthers. The Bruins bench boss even singled out Coyle stating the center wasn’t “up to speed.” Coyle responded with a power play goal in the first period.

“His legs were great, he was winning battles, he was doing an excellent job in all three zones for us,” Montgomery said. “It was the Charlie Coyle we all know and love.”

— Mason Lohrei extended his assist and point streak to three games with a beautiful pass to Coyle on his power play goal. Lohrei has one goal and three in four games since he was a healthy scratch in the home opener.

— Nikita Zadorov dropped the gloves for the first time as a member of the Bruins with Matt Stienburg after the Boston defenseman took exception to the Colorado rookie’s hit on Matthew Poitras.

— The Bruins continue their three-game road trip with their first matchup against the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday. Puck drop from Delta Center is slated for 9 p.m. ET. You can watch the game, following an hour of pregame coverage on NESN.