BREAKING NEWS: Montgomery singles out Pastrnak following the defeat in….

Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery publicly criticized Bruins star David Pastrnak following the team’s 2-1 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 on Thursday in Toronto.

The Bruins, once again struggling with only two shots on goal in the first period and being outshot 12-2, have now squandered a 3-1 series lead for the second consecutive season, echoing last season’s collapse against the Florida Panthers in the first round. Last spring, Pastrnak notably rose to the occasion in Game 6 against the Panthers, scoring two goals in a 7-5 Bruins loss. However, in this season’s crucial Game 6, Pastrnak, a finalist for the 2023 Hart Trophy, failed to capitalize on four shots on goal.

Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery called out Bruins superstar David Pastrnak after the Bruins lost Game 6 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday in Toronto.

The Bruins, who once again were held to two shots in the first period and out-shot 12-2, have now blown a 3-1 series lead for a second-straight season after doing the same in the first round against the Florida Panthers last season. David Pastrnak actually stepped up in Game 6 against the Panthers last spring, scoring two goals in a 7-5 Bruins loss. However, this season, the 2023 Hart Trophy finalist could not find the back of the net on four shots on net.

“Your best players need to be your best players this time of year,” Montgomery replied. “I think the effort is tremendous, but they need to come through with some big-time plays in big-time moments. Marchand has done that in this series; ‘Pasta needs to step up.”

A few questions later, Montgomery was once again queried about Pastrnak’s performance, who has only managed two goals and two assists in six games during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“He needs to return to his dominant form, as he has done previously. While he’s shown flashes of brilliance, it hasn’t been consistent,” remarked Montgomery regarding his struggling star winger. Pastrnak concluded the regular season with impressive stats, tallying 47 goals and 63 assists in 82 games.

The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are set to clash in Game 7 at TD Garden on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports).