Boston Bruins legend Brad Marchand summed up the mood last November with one phrase: “Very disappointing day.” That was the day the Bruins parted ways with head coach Jim Montgomery. Despite his strong record of 120 wins, 41 losses, and 23 overtime losses in his two seasons with the team, Montgomery was dismissed just 20 games into his third season, having posted an 8-9-3 start. The Bruins replaced him with Joe Sacco, a move that sparked widespread debate among fans.
Montgomery didn’t remain jobless for long. He was quickly hired by the St. Louis Blues, and under his leadership, the team has flourished, currently riding an impressive 12-game winning streak and making a strong push for the playoffs. The contrast in fortunes between Montgomery’s new team and his former one has left many Boston fans questioning the decision to fire him.
NHL reporter Jimmy Murphy added to the scrutiny with a post on X (formerly Twitter), questioning why the Bruins let Montgomery go, especially now that his methods are working wonders in St. Louis. Many fans feel confused and frustrated, particularly as the Blues appear to be thriving.
Montgomery’s exit was not without explanation. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney addressed the decision by saying the team’s performance simply wasn’t meeting expectations. Although the Bruins had shown brief signs of recovery with two shutout wins early in November, they soon suffered three consecutive defeats. At the time of Montgomery’s departure, Boston ranked near the bottom of the league in offensive metrics: 31st in goals per game and last in power play efficiency. New additions Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm were also underperforming, making the coaching change seem like a necessary step—at least from management’s perspective.
Sweeney admitted the decision was tough, but not everyone agrees it was the right call. Since Montgomery left, the Bruins have struggled to find their footing. They recently ended a 10-game losing streak—Boston’s worst since the 2009–10 season—with a win against the Carolina Hurricanes at TD Garden. That victory bumped their point total to 71, placing them at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Meanwhile, Joe Sacco’s ability to turn things around remains uncertain.
Adding to the team’s struggles was the controversial trade of long-time captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers shortly after Montgomery’s firing. In return, the Bruins received a second- or first-round draft pick. The move was widely criticized by fans, many of whom believe Marchand’s departure contributed heavily to the team’s downward spiral.
Beyond standout winger David Pastrnak, few Bruins players have made a major impact this season. Pastrnak, however, recently reached the 40-goal mark with a hat-trick against the Hurricanes—offering a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season. Despite his efforts, the Bruins are out of playoff contention and are projected to finish with no more than 81 points.
The question now is: can Boston recover from this difficult stretch? As fans and analysts continue to debate the decision to part ways with Montgomery and Marchand, the Bruins will need to regroup and re-strategize if they hope to reclaim their competitive edge next season.