Two Bruin Fan Favourites Reunited Together
In the initial four games of the Panthers series, the hometown hero from Weymouth brought much-needed stability to Boston's top six.
Thriving alongside Marchand and DeBrusk in high-pressure situations, the Bruins had great expectations for Coyle in his expanded role. Although their performance during the first two games was by no means subpar, the trio produced a slightly lower number of high-quality scoring opportunities compared to the other three lines on Boston, during their 5v5 time on ice.
Coach Montgomery made a decisive move by reshuffling the lines. Marchand partnered with Poitras and Geekie, while DeBrusk joined forces with Pastrnak and Zacha. This change led to the reunion of Coyle and Frederic on the third line, a duo known for their vital secondary scoring contributions during the Bruins' record-breaking regular season.
Whether tasked with facing opposing third lines or more formidable trios, Montgomery's strategy consistently leaned on the strengths of Coyle and Frederic, who excelled on both ends of the ice.
In Montgomery's own words, "They both excel in five-on-five play, particularly in their ability to sustain offensive pressure."
Now, with James van Riemsdyk on the left wing alongside Coyle and Frederic, the Bruins could potentially boast a dynamic third line, combining Frederic's sharpshooting skills, van Riemsdyk's net-front presence, and Coyle's puck-possession prowess. Of course, this potential will only be fully realized if they are given the chance to develop chemistry over an extended period.
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| POLL | ||
19 OCTOBRE | 71 ANSWERS Two Bruin Fan Favourites Reunited Together Do you think this will be a good line for the Bruins? | ||
| Yes | 52 | 73.2 % |
| No | 19 | 26.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
