Conflict reported between Brad Marchand and coach Jim Montgomery

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand led the attack against the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday, finishing with eight shots on net and scoring the winning goal in overtime. Then on Sunday vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets, he scored a natural hat trick in just eight minutes during the third period, securing a 3-1 victory for his Bruins. He scored the lone goal for Boston last night’s in a 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

While he was in Toronto, it was noted by team insider Fluto Shinzawa that Marchand tried some new sticks during the morning skate and experimented with a longer stick only to go back to this old wood, adding “Too many people in my head.”

This could have been a quick shot at his head coach Jim Montgomery, who has established a new system in Boston, prompting Marchand to make some changes.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman revealed in his latest 32 Thoughts column how Marchand briefly discussed some conflict between the Bruins’ head coach and his captain, though we all feel like the discussions probably benefit both men to make sure Boston remains a top contender. Friedman writes:

“[He] then told us that coach Jim Montgomery made a change to their breakouts. It used to be about reading and reacting to each other.

"With all of the changes, Montgomery demands more structure, and Marchand joked that there are times he wants to do things the old way, but the coach prefers this method until there is more familiarity.”

The Bruins have lost a lot of great leaders in recent years in Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron, and it’s great to see a different approach by the new captain who reveals a bit more on what happens in the dressing room and during practices.

I feel like when Montgomery makes those tough decisions and fans witness success on the ice, it shows that, despite some push back from the captain, the Bruins are trusting the head coach to lead them to another playoff participation.

Marchand has 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 25 games this season, which ranks second on the team behind David Pastrnak’s 36. Though he can argue with his bench boss, he remains on track to score at a point per game or better for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.

Recommended articles:

• Linesman tackles and wrestles Brad Marchand down on the ice!
• Brad Marchand takes leave of absence from the Bruins
• Brad Marchand beats Leafs, after mourning loss in his family
• Tragedy strikes Bruins captain Brad Marchand
• Dueling hat tricks from Artemi Panarin and Brad Marchand