How Jim Montgomery Fared In Blues Coaching Debut After Bruins Exit

After fizzling out with the Boston Bruins, Jim Montgomery wanted to provide an immediate spark to the St. Louis Blues.

Monday night delivered that effort with a third-period surge for the Blues. St. Louis sat in a 2-2 stalemate against a quality Eastern Conference squad in the New York Rangers. The Blues took Madison Square Garden by storm with a trio of goals in the third period from Brayden Schenn, Zack Bolduc and Pavel Buchnevich. St. Louis ultimately sealed a 5-2 victory and started the Montgomery era off on the right foot.

Montgomery’s squad did not convert on any of its three power-play opportunities, though the Blues established physicality with more hits and blocked 17 blocked shots on the night. St. Louis also peppered Igor Shesterkin with 43 shots. That high volume of shots paid off with the three-goal third period that ultimately made the difference to deliver Montgomery’s first win since moving on from the Bruins.

The Blues look to improve to 2-0-0 under Montgomery on Wednesday when they visit the New Jersey Devils. The Bruins, meanwhile, will battle old friend Jake DeBrusk and Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday at TD Garden.