How The Boston Bruins Accomplished the Best Regular Season In NHL History
Jim Montgomery's changes and why the Bruins had historic NHL success
It’s no secret that the Boston Bruins were a historically good regular season team last year. They finished the 2022-23 season with the best record in NHL history.
https://twitter.com/CoachRevak/status/1648303998921744394?s=20
This begs the following questions:
How’d they do it?
What came together?
What did new head coach Jim Montgomery bring to the table?
(Hint… They use a lot of the concepts we’ve written about here in the Hockey IQ Newsletter.)
Keeping The Zone-Defense System
In 2021-22, the Bruins had an NHL low of 27.01 shots against per 60 minutes. Rather than coming in and reimaging an already successful defensive scheme, Montgomery simply kept what had led to past success.
While Montgomery saw the success with the Bruins’ defensive game and kept it in place, he changed the way the Bruins went about creating offense, in transition and in the offensive zone.
Defensemen in Transition
In Montgomery’s scheme, defensemen are required to be transition-ready. He desires to work defensive zone exits up-the-middle and the weakside D is crucial.
“You’re expected to be part of the offense now instead of thinking, ‘My job is done. I’ve got to make sure to protect the net front in case.’ …It’s your responsibility to be in the support position to be able to add to the transition offense.”
Related: Modern Offensive Defensemen With Roman Josi
Forwards in Transition
The Bruins’ transition-ready mindset doesn’t just stop with the defensemen.
“We always talk about [Frederic] and first three strides each direction toward each net. After that, you’ve got a really good hockey player. Really good hockey player, as he’s blossomed into.”
Related: Sean Kuraly’s Forechecking Keys
Shot Quality over Shot Quantity
In 2021-22:
Bruins had 2nd most shots per 60 minutes of 5v5 play, but ranked 14th ranked goals per 60 at 5v5
Montgomery’s St. Louis Blues were 25th in shots per 5v5 but 5th in goals per 5v5
In 2022-23:
Bruins had 8th most shots per 60 minutes of 5v5 play, but ranked 2nd ranked goals per 60 at 5v5
Source: Natural Statrick
Related: Shot Quality Over Shot Quantity
Point Shots
Since the Bruins are looking for shot quality, they frown upon taking point shots as the go-to option when trying to create scoring chances. If a point shot is taken, the shot requires a purpose.
“We’re not going to put pucks at the net to get a shot from an area where it goes in at less than 5%.”
Related: Point Shots Suck
Point Activation
Since point players aren’t going to be slinging, chucking, and sifting pucks toward the net consistently, they are instead encouraged to activate in the offensive zone.
“Analytics tells us that shots from certain areas go in at less than a 5% rate. We want to try and get shots from above a 15% rate. Ideally, above a 20% rate.”
Related: Point Activation For Defensemen
Offensive Zone Freedom & Creativity
Montgomery was a great offensive player when he played and even won a national title while at the University of Maine. Unsurprisingly, he gives freedom in the offensive zone and encourages offensive tactics and concepts.
Playstyle Summary
All of these play-style changes are driven by Montgomery’s desire to have more puck possession. This style led to the Bruins often simply controlling the game and dominating opponents.
1) Quick support from the weak-side defenseman in transition/joining the rush
2) Shot quality over quantity. Hanging onto pucks to improve offensive looks
3) Freedom in the offensive zone to create and cause a problem for the opposition
Off-Ice Culture / Personal Style
The transformation didn’t stop with the on-ice tactics. How Montgomery approached coaching was also different from his predecessor
1) Positivity
2) Authentic, open communication
Related: Lessons from Don Granato
Positive Feedback
Last year many players played in fear and were tentative due to potential consequences.
“They were ready for positive feedback. I had to keep myself to making sure that I’m whispering in their ears positive things on the bench. That would be the No. 1 thing.”
From defenseman Connor Clifton:
“When you’ve got someone up top believing in you and telling you to make plays and play a certain way, it’s a lot easier coming from the top. And he’s instilling confidence in you rather than finding it on your own.”
“I absolutely feel different. I feel excited to go into every practice and try to keep building that.”
Open Communication
“I showed Patrice some video stuff. Watching it, he goes, ‘That makes sense. I like that.’ Whether he likes it or not, I want that feedback.”
The players should get a ton of credit too:
“Having someone who wants to watch and wants to learn, it’s not something I’ve experienced at the NHL level everywhere I’ve been… These guys want to get coached. They want to get better. They want to know the why and the how.”
From defenseman Brandon Carlo:
“He’s been awesome. His communication’s been great. Even before today, he pulled me in to his office, just to check in and just to say hi. Going in to his office, I didn’t feel intimidated or scared or anything like that, which was great. He’s really set that precedent of the relationship he wants to have with all of us. He’s been a great mentor in all of that.”
Note: Quotes sourced from @FlutoShinzawa from The Athletic. Piece #1 | Piece #2
Further Reading