Boston Bruins Practice Notes and Quotes, Dec. 6

The Bruins will be back in action Thursday night at TD Garden as they host the Buffalo Sabres for a 7 p.m. puck drop.

Coming off playing three games in five days, the Boston Bruins got back to practice Wednesday morning at Warrior Ice Arena following an optional skate Tuesday and off day Monday. The team is gearing up to face the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night at TD Garden where it’ll look to extend its three-game win streak.

Notes and quotes from Wednesday’s practice, below:

Charlie Coyle has been a swiss army knife for the Bruins this season, filling any role the group needs of him to win. In the absence of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, Coyle has bolstered his offensive production while skating in both the top and bottom six.

“[Coyle] doesn’t need to produce at the level he’s producing for us to be a good hockey team. He does so many things that build momentum and take the ball rolling in the right direction for our team,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Wednesday.

Coyle has 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) through 24 games played. At the quarter mark of the 2023-24 season, he’s seven goals away from tying his 2022-23 season-high 16 goals. It’s not just the offense, though, that’s made Coyle such an important piece of Boston’s success this year – it’s his play away from the puck as well.

As a penalty kill stalwart, Coyle is on the ice in every odd-man situation and sacrifices the body without hesitation. According to Natural Stat Trick, Coyle has logged 15 blocked shots. He’s dynamic on the second power play unit and has recently moved up to play with Danton Heinen and Brad Marchand on the second line despite his consistent chemistry with Trent Frederic on the third line.

“I think [Coyle] has made a more concerted effort to get on inside ice,” Montgomery said. “It’s very evident where his shots are coming from this year compared to the past. He’s taken it upon himself to be more direct offensively.”

The Bruins’ two newest centers in Matt Poitras and Johnny Beecher have seen some rookie growing pains, but have been key players for Boston and its depth nonetheless. Both Poitras and Beecher made the team out of training camp in a somewhat sudden youth movement, and are getting used to the cadence of an NHL schedule together.

“I think there’s a huge benefit of having them have each other. I think they’re living together. They can lean on each other because the league’s hard. You’re gonna struggle, everybody struggles in this league,” Montgomery said Wednesday.

Beecher was scratched for the first time this season Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but drew back into the lineup for Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Poitras has seen his ice time shortened in the latter half of games, as Montgomery has opted for “tried and true” players in tight situations.

“We’re going to go with the guys that have been tried and true before and he’s gotta sit there and watch,” Montgomery said pregame Sunday. “And if he gets the opportunity, and he will, he will assume that he’s got to do the right things without the puck to be out there.”

While working through some adversity, Poitras and Beecher have still been producing. Poitras has 11 points (five goals, six assists) and Beecher has five points (four goals, one assist).

“The good thing is, they can lean on each other, push each other, help each other get better in practice,” Montgomery said.

After signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Bruins in July, James van Riemsdyk has brought the gritty, veteran presence Boston was after, and then some.

The 34-year-old forward’s strong down-low positioning and tenacity around the crease has benefited the Bruins both 5-on-5 and on the first unit power play. What’s more, van Riemsdyk’s play making ability while skating on the third line – now with Poitras and Frederic – has shined through.

“I think his game is growing as far as how we want to play. He’s holding onto pucks a lot more than I think he’s ever done in a while in his career,” Montgomery said.

Van Riemsdyk does not allow opponents to push him to the perimeter, and he’s been rewarded for the extra-effort style of play with 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) through 23 games. On a cost-efficient deal, the Bruins brought in a difference maker.

“What he’s added to us – one of the things we like to track is net-front battles – and we seem to win that almost every night this year and he’s one of the leaders in that,” Montgomery said.