Amid growing criticism from fans, veteran forward Charlie Coyle had a lot to prove, and Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery didn’t shy away from addressing his recent struggles. On Tuesday, Montgomery publicly commented that Coyle “wasn’t up to speed” but expressed confidence that the seasoned center would soon rediscover his game.
By Wednesday night, Coyle responded in style. During the Bruins’ 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, with the score tied 1-1 late in the second period, defenseman Mason Lohrei sent a perfect pass through Sam Gerard’s legs, finding Coyle in front of the net. Coyle made no mistake, tapping in the puck for a crucial power-play goal that ended his season-long scoring drought and gave the Bruins a lead they would not relinquish.
“Mason’s got incredible skill. I didn’t have to do much; he put it on a platter for me,” Coyle said after the game. While relieved to break his scoring drought, Coyle was more pleased with his overall performance than just the goal.
“It’s not just about scoring. It’s about playing the right way—moving my legs, winning battles, and doing the small things right. That’s when everything else falls into place. I felt a lot more energy tonight,” he admitted.
Montgomery praised his No. 2 center after the game, acknowledging the turnaround. “Charlie was back to himself. His legs were strong, he was winning battles, and he was effective in all three zones,” Montgomery said. “That’s the Charlie Coyle we know and love.”
Coyle, who had echoed his coach’s Tuesday comments, hinted that simplifying his game was key to his resurgence. “Sometimes you chase the game and overthink it. For me, I need to use my body, win puck battles, and take the puck to the net. That’s when I’m at my best.”
For fans and critics alike, Coyle’s cryptic response on the ice was exactly what the Bruins needed.
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