Montgomery: All-Star Nod is Reflection of Team's Accomplishments

BOSTON - Jim Montgomery is appreciating every moment.
With the Bruins sitting atop the NHL standings at the midway point of the regular season, boasting an astonishing 32-4-4 record, Boston's bench boss has been nothing but grateful for how the players have embraced his message - and each other - in the midst of their historic first half.
And on Wednesday, Montgomery had even more gratitude to express upon being named the Atlantic Division's head coach for the upcoming NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, Florida.

"Well, for me, it's an honor and I'm honored to represent our team…to me, I'm representing our group and what we've accomplished so far in the first half," said Montgomery, who will be joined by the coaches of the other three division leaders (Vegas' Bruce Cassidy, Pacific; Dallas' Pete DeBoer, Central; and Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour, Metro).
"Unfortunately, we probably deserve to have six guys that'll be All-Stars, but the way the game is run now - it's not the way it used to be, so not as many guys get the opportunity. I think how they have coaches represent teams with the highest winning percentage is a reflection on how good the team has been playing."
Montgomery has helped guide the Bruins to 32 wins through 40 games, which is tied with the 1944-45 Montreal Canadiens for the second-most at this stage of the season in NHL history behind the 1929-30 Bruins' record of 35. Boston's 68 points through 40 games are also the second-most in league lore behind the 1929-30 Bruins' mark of 71.
"I was surprised at how quickly we picked [the new system] up the first 20 games and in the grind of the season," said Montgomery, who replaced Cassidy last July. "What I'm amazed at is their consistency and how hard we've been to play against. I don't think we've been that dynamic offensively over the last 15 games, to be honest, but I think how hard we are to play against has been consistent throughout the year and that's a reflection of our record."

Bruins alternate captain Brad Marchand believes that Montgomery's "big effort" to build relationships with the players in the dressing room has gone a long way toward creating the confidence with which the team has played with thus far.
"He's very positive," said Marchand. "I think that allows guys to feel comfortable and confident in the room, in practice, and on the bench, but he's demanding at the same time and he's very open about that…he has high expectations for our group; he knows what we're able to accomplish and achieve and the level we should be playing at.
"He does a really, really good job at bringing the best out of guys because I think he does a really good job at building those relationships."
Montgomery will have alongside for the All-Star festivities his ace goalie, Linus Ullmark, who is leading the NHL with a 22-1-1 record, 1.87 goals against average, and .938 save percentage and was named to his first All-Star appearance last week. Voting also continues at NHL.com/Vote to determine the remaining three players in each division.
"The opportunity for my boys to go and meet all the stars in the league," Montgomery said, "I think that's going to be an incredible experience, very similar to the Winter Classic. There are just certain things in your life you're just very fortunate to be a part of and this will be one of them."

Koppanen Gets the Call

Joona Koppanen was recalled from Providence on Wednesday and is in line to make his NHL debut against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night at TD Garden. The 24-year-old, who was selected by the Bruins in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Draft, has played parts of six seasons with Providence, collecting 32 goals and 77 points in 215 games.
The Finland native has five goals and 19 points in 34 game this season after setting career highs in goals (11), assists (19), and points (30) in 2021-22.
"I think all the hard work over the years and trying to stay with my game in Providence," Koppanen said when asked what has gotten him to his point. "I've been watching almost all of the games this year with Boston so it's just an awesome job here…it's a privilege to come here and play for the team and the organization."
Montgomery said that part of the reason the Bruins opted to send Chris Wagner back down to Providence in favor of Koppanen is the need for another center on the roster with Tomas Nosek still not 100 percent and unable to take faceoffs.
"He's had a really good year in Providence, we really liked his last exhibition game, and we don't have a left shot center right now that can win draws just because Nosek is still not 100 percent healthy…he can play, but can't take draws," Montgomery explained.
"So, it gives us an opportunity to see when you're looking down the road, the opportunity for supplemental players to be able to help us in big moments and in what we hope is going to be important games down the road."

Wednesday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Craig Smith
Pavel Zacha - David Krejci - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - Charlie Coyle - Trent Frederic
Nick Foligno - Joona Koppanen - Tomas Nosek
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman