SUNRISE, Fla. — In a results-oriented business, sustaining positive outcomes late in a regular season usually tops any to-do list.
For the top teams in hockey, however, their place in the final standings isn’t necessarily the No. 1 priority. Instead, the focus shifts to fine-tuning their performance and accustoming themselves to the playoff grind.
Heading into Tuesday’s matchup with the Florida Panthers — with first place in the Atlantic Division up for grabs — the Boston Bruins were far from showing the masses that they’re ready.
Eventually, Jim Montgomery got fed up. After a pair of uninspiring losses to the Rangers and Flyers, the second-year bench boss tore into his team through expletives and end-to-end sprints during Monday’s sluggish practice.