5 Coaches Currently In Jobs New Jersey Devils Must Keep An Eye On
By Nick Villano
Jim Montgomery
Boston Bruins
This probably sounds insane, but the Boston Bruins were once again one of the best teams in the NHL. However, what happens if they fail in the first round of the playoffs again? Jim Montgomery led the Bruins to one of the best records of all time last season. Then, the Florida Panthers, who barely made the playoffs, dispatched the Bruins in the first round.
This year, the Bruins are likely playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ah, this rivalry. The Bruins and the Maple Leafs have played quite a few playoff series in their time. If they do face off, this will be the 16th time they meet in a win-or-go-home series. The Leafs haven’t sent the Bruins home since 1959.
If the Bruins were to lose to their rivals in the first round, would the seat get hot for Montgomery? He’s clearly hoping to get the Bruins over the hump, something that they haven’t done in 14 years. This is a city that demands greatness, and while the Bruins have done that in the regular season, they’ve failed in the playoffs.
It’s been two years since the Bruins fired Bruce Cassidy and hired Montgomery. Cassidy won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights last season. Montgomery went home after the first round. Even a first-round exit shouldn’t cause a firing, but we’ve seen crazier things.