Jim Montgomery kept things simple in his one-on-one meeting with Matt Poitras on Monday morning.
After getting stapled to the bench in the third period of Saturday’s win over the Coyotes, Poitras was receptive to Montgomery’s preaching of shorter shifts and minimizing risk with the puck on his stick.
Another edict from Boston’s bench boss? Smile.
“You have a very infectious smile,” Montgomery told the 19-year-old pivot. “I said, ‘When you smile, I feel better.’ Can you imagine your teammates? You know you’re 19 and in the NHL, right?
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“Someone like Brad Marchand who has been here for 15 years — he might think going to New Jersey is just another game.