Montgomery added that the decision to play Bergeron against the Canadiens was part of a previously discussed plan that was put into effect to help the B’s top centerman ramp up for the postseason after sitting out a handful of games for rest down the stretch.
“Our hindsight is we don’t have any reservations about what we did,” said Montgomery. “Because we laid it out with where we were in the regular season with four weeks to play. We talked to sports science and then [Don Sweeney] and I talked about if we have a chance to rest people, we’re gonna rest them.
“And then we consulted with Bergy – and I think he missed [four] games. I wanted and Bergy wanted the last two games to ramp up to get into a rhythm for the playoffs. Life happens, unfortunately. He tweaked something in that last game.
“In hindsight, we would still do it exactly the same way. That’s how it’s easy to move forward when you have no regret with what you did because it was a well thought out plan.”
Video: Montgomery updates the media ahead of Game 3
While Bergeron remained around the dressing room with the team at home, the Bruins will need to find a way to press through without him being with the club in Florida. Matt Grzelcyk, who seems likely to make his series debut in Game 3, said the Bruins must take a collective approach in trying to fill the leadership void.
“He’s always there for us no matter what,” said Grzelcyk. “I think it’s our job to go out there and have his back. He’s had ours his whole career. We want to make sure we’re playing for him no matter what. We’ll miss his presence out there. He’s still a huge part of it vocally. We have a lot of leaders in this room. We can lead by example and pick up that way, speak up a little bit more. For sure it’s tough but we’ve got a job to do.
“We’re going to play the game no matter what. We’d rather have him out there but no matter what the case is we’re gonna play hard, compete hard, take his words very carefully and go from there.”
Montgomery added that Linus Ullmark, who did not take part in the pregame skate, would be a game-time decision. Jeremy Swayman and Brandon Bussi were the netminders on the ice on Friday morning.
Changes Could Be Coming
Defense
Based on the morning skate at FLA Live Arena, the Bruins could have a number of changes to the lineup for Game 3. Among them is the possibility that Grzelcyk subs in for Connor Clifton on the back end and reunites with Charlie McAvoy on the B’s top pair.
“It’s tough watching,” said Grzelcyk. “A lot more nerves that way. I’d rather be a part of it with the group and try to make sure that I’m staying engaged here and if I come back in, I’m playing with confidence.”
Grzelcyk said that him and McAvoy have strong chemistry, having played together for large portions of the last several seasons, and read off each other well when it comes to moving the puck out of the Bruins’ own end.
“I think we use each other, have a little bit of chemistry there,” said Grzelcyk. “We’re both pretty mobile and Charlie’s really good about closing plays off and allows me to come over. I think we just fast with one another. We’re able to get the puck in the forwards’ hands and make some plays, join the rush but also be responsible defensively at the same time.”
With Clifton coming out of the lineup, Dmitry Orlov is expected to shift down to play the right side on a pairing with Derek Forbort.
“The thing with Orlov is we found that with anyone he plays with, that guy plays well, and he plays well,” said Montgomery. “He just gives us the advantage of having a guy that can play the off side really well and I think you’re going to see the pairs mixed up just depending on how things go because we’re on the road as well.”
Video: Grzelcyk talks to the media before BOS @ FLA
Forwards
Up front, meanwhile, Montgomery’s lines looked quite different than the opening two games of the series in Boston with all four trios getting a tweak.
“We talked as a staff and I talked to Don Sweeney about what we think gives us the best opportunity on the road and we couldn’t come to a consensus, so you know when you do the lottery balls and how they come out, you just spit them out, and I liked how it came out,” Montgomery said with a smirk. “There’s a method to how we think the lines will help us for tonight.”
The most notable alteration, perhaps, was Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic being teamed up with Brad Marchand. Montgomery is hoping that Frederic getting to the hard ice in front of the net on a consistent basis will help the line have success.
“I think Trent’s a player that has had a real good regular season for us and has had moments in the playoffs where he’s been in the right areas, the hard areas,” said Montgomery. “We need to get more opportunities in those areas so we think that could be a real heavy line for us.”
Frederic echoed his coach’s sentiments while adding that he may have some extra jump after a heated moment in the closing minutes of Game 2. The winger confirmed some online speculation that he was “choked a little bit” by Florida’s Ryan Lomberg during a tussle that had both players wrestling on the ice.
“Couldn’t breathe, maybe panicked a little too early,” said Frederic. “But it was getting close there where the lights were gonna turn off there for a second. I’ve never seen that one. It is what it is… Just gonna play hard. It will give me a little extra motivation.
“Try not to react in a negative way and affect the team. Just go play hard and I think it will fuel me a little bit more. I’m excited to play tonight even more than I normally am.”
Video: Frederic talks from FLA Live Arena before Game 3
Boston could also get a spark from Jakub Lauko, who could be making his postseason debut as the fourth-line left wing alongside Tomas Nosek and Garnet Hathaway.
“If he plays, it’s gonna be just his speed,” Montgomery said of what Lauko could bring. “He draws penalties, he makes it hard on defensemen to have good gaps because they have to respect his speed. If they try and have a tight gap, he can spring for breakaways. A lot of times, that’s how he draws his penalties.
“He’s really tenacious on top of pucks. He’s a really good forechecker, he hits well, he creates turnovers. If he gets the opportunity, that’s where the line of thinking is there.”
Elsewhere up front, David Krejci was centering Taylor Hall and Jake DeBrusk, while Pavel Zacha was in the middle of Tyler Bertuzzi and David Pastrnak during the morning skate.
Friday’s Projected Lineup
FORWARDS
Brad Marchand – Charlie Coyle – Trent Frederic
Tyler Bertuzzi – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall – David Krejci – Jake DeBrusk
Jakub Lauko – Tomas Nosek – Garnet Hathaway
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort – Dmitry Orlov
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark/Jeremy Swayman
